Helping Latina mothers reduce stress to improve their children's health
Official title: Reducing Maternal Stress to Improve Obesity-related Parenting Practices
Funded at American University · NIH-10894035 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a mindfulness program can help Latina mothers feel less stressed and, in turn, support healthier habits for their kids to help prevent obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | American University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2020 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $142,247 |
| NIH project number | 5K23AT011049-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10894035 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Latina mothers with children aged 0-11 years who are at risk for obesity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Latina or whose children are not within the specified age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how reducing stress in Latina mothers can positively influence their parenting practices and help prevent obesity in their children. It focuses on developing a mindfulness-based program called ATIENDE, which aims to lower psychological stress and promote healthier behaviors. The study will involve a randomized clinical trial with 50 Latina mothers of elementary-school age children, comparing the mindfulness intervention to a control group. Participants will provide feedback on their experiences, which will help assess the program's effectiveness and feasibility.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for children by promoting healthier parenting practices among mothers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that mindfulness interventions can be effective in reducing stress and improving parenting practices, suggesting a promising approach in this context.
Where this research is happening
-
American University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cotter, Elizabeth — American University
- Study coordinator: Cotter, Elizabeth
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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.