How early life food insecurity affects child obesity and cognitive development
Official title: Impacts of Early Life Food Insecurity on Child Obesity and Cognitive Development Trajectories
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10764334 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how not having enough food during pregnancy and early childhood affects kids' growth and thinking skills, helping us understand the connection between food access and health from birth to age 18.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $246,383 |
| NIH project number | 5R00HD101657-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10764334 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children and adolescents aged 0-18 who have experienced food insecurity during their early life.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced food insecurity or are outside the age range of 0-18 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of food insecurity during pregnancy and early childhood on children's growth and cognitive development. By analyzing data from ongoing birth cohort studies, the project aims to understand how varying levels of food access impact maternal health and child outcomes from infancy to age 18. The study employs advanced methods to measure body composition and cognitive function, providing insights into the relationship between food insecurity and obesity as well as cognitive challenges in children and adolescents.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and interventions to prevent obesity and cognitive issues in children affected by food insecurity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown significant associations between food insecurity and negative health outcomes in children, indicating that this study builds on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kinsey, Eliza W. — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Kinsey, Eliza W.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Binge eating as a link between food insecurity and obesity in teens
A study in adolescents explores whether binge eating helps explain why food insecurity is linked to higher obesity risk, with the goal of guiding better prevention.
-
Food FARMacia: Helping Children in Food-Insecure Homes Maintain a Healthy Weight
This project is testing a mobile food pantry program called Food FARMacia to help young children in families facing food insecurity achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
-
Understanding Binge Eating and Obesity in Adolescents Facing Food Insecurity
This project aims to understand how binge eating might connect food insecurity with obesity in teenagers, helping us find better ways to support their health.
-
Understanding how binge eating relates to obesity in food-insecure adolescents
This study is looking at how not having enough food can lead to obesity in teenagers, especially through binge eating, and it aims to find ways to help young people from low-income backgrounds eat healthier and maintain a healthy weight.
-
Addressing food insecurity to help prevent childhood obesity
This study looks at how not having enough healthy food can lead to weight problems in kids, and it aims to find ways to help families get better access to nutritious meals, especially in communities that need it most.
-
Exploring how food insecurity affects weight gain during and after pregnancy
This study is looking at how not having enough food can affect weight gain during pregnancy and after having a baby, focusing on how feelings and social situations play a role in what women eat; it's designed for women who might be facing these challenges and aims to find better ways to support their health.
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.