Improving pediatric weight management through telehealth
Official title: Adapting a pediatric weight management program for implementation via telehealth
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10890018 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to make weight management programs for kids easier to access through online services, especially for families from different backgrounds or those with lower incomes, so that more children can get the help they need to stay healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $142,028 |
| NIH project number | 5K23HL161447-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10890018 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are struggling with obesity and come from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds or low-income households.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing obesity or do not have access to telehealth services may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to adapt existing pediatric weight management programs for delivery via telehealth, aiming to improve access and participation for children, especially those from racially/ethnically diverse and low-income backgrounds. The study will explore various factors that affect access to care and participation in weight management, using a mixed methods approach to gather insights from families and healthcare providers. By understanding these barriers, the research aims to create a more equitable telehealth program that effectively supports children's weight management needs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more accessible and effective weight management program for children, potentially reducing obesity rates and associated health risks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that telehealth can improve access to care for various health conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach in pediatric weight management.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Simione, Meg — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Simione, Meg
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
EMBER: a self-help tool to boost Veterans' use of VA weight-management programs
A self-guided motivational tool to help Veterans learn about and join VA weight-management services.
-
Weight management and center-based heart health program for Black adults with CKD
A multi-component lifestyle program is tested to help Black adults with chronic kidney disease lower blood pressure and improve heart and kidney health.
-
GLP-1 receptor agonists before pregnancy to improve weight and pregnancy outcomes
This project looks at whether using GLP-1 receptor agonists before pregnancy can help women with obesity lose weight and have better pregnancy outcomes.
-
Hybrid implementation approach to scale a weight‑management program for adults with serious mental illness
A Johns Hopkins team is testing how to spread and sustain a proven weight‑loss program for adults with serious mental illness in community mental health settings.
-
Couples-based weight loss with a mobile app
A couple-focused weight loss program delivered through a mobile app that helps partners support each other to lose weight together.
-
Addressing appetitive traits to promote weight management in children who overeat
A family-based program is being tested to help children who overeat improve weight management by reducing food cues and increasing fullness signals.
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.