Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids: weight-loss and activity program for Hispanic fathers and their children
EFFICACY TRIAL OF A PROGRAM FOR WEIGHT LOSS FOR HISPANIC FATHERS AND INCREASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR THEIR CHILDREN: HEALTHY DADS, HEALTHY KIDS
A program that helps Hispanic fathers lose weight while helping their 6–11-year-old children get more active.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11161378 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You and your child would attend sessions together where fathers and children take part in fun activities and learn healthier eating and exercise habits. The program was culturally adapted for Hispanic families and uses social-cognitive and family-systems approaches so fathers and children encourage each other. Sessions include joint physical activity, nutrition education, and practical strategies to use at home, while the team tracks progress with measures like weight and activity levels. This trial tests whether the adapted Healthy Dads Healthy Kids program produces similar health improvements for Hispanic families in the U.S.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Hispanic fathers and their children roughly aged 6–11 years who are willing to attend group sessions and work on diet and activity goals are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Families without a participating father, children outside the target age range, or people needing immediate medical or surgical weight-loss treatment may not benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could help Hispanic fathers lose weight and their children become more physically active, reducing future obesity-related risks.
How similar studies have performed: The original Healthy Dads Healthy Kids program in Australia produced significant weight and behavior improvements, but this version is newly adapted and tested for Hispanic families in the U.S.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'connor, Teresia Margareta — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: O'connor, Teresia Margareta
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 below.