Helping Mexican and Central-American patients with fatty liver disease improve their health
Official title: Improving Outcomes Among Mexican and Central-American Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11082309 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping Mexican and Central-American patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by finding out what makes it hard for them to change their eating and exercise habits, and then creating a friendly program to support them in losing weight and improving their liver health.
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 start | August 22, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $172,741 |
| NIH project number | 5K23MD016955-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11082309 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Mexican and Central-American individuals diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease who are seeking to improve their health through lifestyle changes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or those outside the Mexican and Central-American demographic may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding and improving the health outcomes of Mexican and Central-American patients suffering from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It aims to identify the personal and social barriers these patients face in making lifestyle changes, particularly in diet and physical activity, which are crucial for weight loss and reducing liver fat. The project will adapt and test a targeted behavioral weight loss intervention specifically designed for this population, ensuring that it meets their unique needs and circumstances. By engaging with patients and utilizing qualitative methods, the research seeks to develop effective strategies to promote healthier behaviors and improve overall health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective weight loss interventions that significantly improve liver health and quality of life for patients with NAFLD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that targeted behavioral interventions can be effective in promoting weight loss and improving health outcomes in similar populations, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Balakrishnan, Maya — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Balakrishnan, Maya
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Targeting fatty liver disease in women around pregnancy to improve health
This grant explores how to identify and help pregnant and postpartum women who are at risk for fatty liver disease to prevent liver problems later.
-
Clinically meaningful research on fatty liver disease in adults and children
A nationwide effort studying MASLD, the major form of fatty liver disease, to find better ways to identify who is at risk and how to treat it, including kids and adults.
-
NAFLD in PCOS: Do androgens drive liver injury and fatty liver progression?
Young women with PCOS may face liver disease progression due to high androgen levels, and this research looks at targeted ways to slow or prevent that progression.
-
Ultrasound tests to find and track fatty liver in children
This project develops easy-to-use ultrasound methods to find and monitor liver fat in children who are overweight or obese.
-
How genes and heavy metals influence fatty liver disease
This project looks at how a person’s genes and the amounts of metals in their liver together relate to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
-
Gm4951 gene and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Researchers are looking at whether changes in the Gm4951 gene affect how much fat builds up in the liver for people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
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.