Improving Obesity Care for Autistic Youth Transitioning to Adulthood

Preparing for Obesity Treatment Optimization: A Mixed Methods Study with Transition-Age Autistic Youth

['FUNDING_R21'] · CHILDREN'S HOSP OF PHILADELPHIA · NIH-11134683

This project gathers ideas directly from autistic youth to create better ways to help them manage obesity as they become adults.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R21']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorCHILDREN'S HOSP OF PHILADELPHIA (nih funded)
Locations1 site (PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11134683 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This project aims to understand what works best for autistic youth with obesity as they transition into adulthood. Researchers will talk with young autistic people, aged 16-25, who have obesity to hear their experiences and ideas. This information will help design a new, comprehensive online program specifically tailored to their needs. The goal is to develop an effective and scalable treatment that can be widely used to support this population.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this initial phase are autistic youth aged 16-25 who are living with obesity and transitioning to adulthood.

Not a fit: Patients who are not autistic or are outside the 16-25 age range for this specific project may not directly benefit from this particular phase of the research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a much-needed, effective obesity treatment program specifically designed to support autistic youth as they navigate adulthood.

How similar studies have performed: While comprehensive obesity treatments exist, there is currently no specific program designed for transition-age autistic individuals, making this a novel approach.

Where this research is happening

PHILADELPHIA, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus, Autistic Disorder

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.