Helping rural families tackle childhood obesity
Official title: Implementation of the New Pediatric Obesity Clinical Practice Guideline in Rural Families and Clinics: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Funded at University of Kansas Medical Center · NIH-11145770 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for families in rural areas who are dealing with childhood obesity to try out a new program that offers support and guidance for healthier habits, while also helping local clinics improve their care for kids facing this challenge.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | July 29, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $629,508 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NR021278-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11145770 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are overweight or obese and their families living in rural communities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not overweight or obese, or those living in urban areas, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing childhood obesity in rural areas by implementing a new clinical practice guideline. It involves a randomized controlled trial that tests two interventions: a mobile health program called iAmHealthy, which provides behavioral support to families, and a clinic-level intervention aimed at improving how healthcare providers treat obesity. Families will receive tailored support through group sessions and individual guidance, while clinics will enhance their processes to better assist children with obesity. The goal is to create effective strategies that can be used in rural settings to combat this pressing health issue.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for children in rural areas by effectively reducing obesity rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in implementing behavioral interventions for obesity, but this study aims to combine both patient and clinic-level strategies in a rural context, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Davis, Ann M — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Davis, Ann M
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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.