Finding better ways to treat obesity in autistic young adults
Official title: Preparing for Obesity Treatment Optimization: A Mixed Methods Study with Transition-Age Autistic Youth
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-10869237 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to find better ways to help young autistic people who are becoming adults manage their weight by listening to their experiences and needs, so we can create a helpful treatment plan just for them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 10, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $296,945 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD115080-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10869237 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are autistic individuals aged 16 to 25 who are experiencing obesity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not autistic or those outside the age range of 16 to 25 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop effective obesity treatment strategies specifically for autistic youth transitioning to adulthood. It will gather insights directly from transition-age autistic individuals about their experiences and needs related to obesity treatment. By using a mixed methods approach, the study will combine qualitative interviews with quantitative data to identify key components for a tailored obesity intervention. The goal is to create a comprehensive treatment plan that can be easily implemented and scaled for this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective obesity treatments that improve health outcomes and quality of life for autistic young adults.
How similar studies have gone: While there is ongoing research into obesity treatment, this specific approach tailored for transition-age autistic youth is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuschner, Emily Sarah — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Kuschner, Emily Sarah
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.