Improving weight management in Black American women through social networks
Official title: Weight management and Black American women: Targeting social networks as a strategy to improve outcomes
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11028947 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping Black American women tackle obesity by using their friendships and family connections to share healthy habits and tips, so everyone can support each other in living healthier lives together.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $665,368 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA296842-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11028947 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Black American women who are struggling with obesity and are willing to engage with their social networks to promote healthier behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Black American or those who are not interested in participating in community-driven health initiatives may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing obesity among Black American women by leveraging their social networks to improve weight management outcomes. It aims to train participants to become change agents who can share health information and strategies with their friends and family, thereby creating a ripple effect that benefits their entire community. The study will assess the effectiveness of this approach in promoting healthier behaviors and reducing obesity rates. By engaging community stakeholders and utilizing participant-driven dissemination, the research seeks to enhance the impact of traditional weight management interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective weight management strategies that not only help individual participants but also positively influence their social networks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using community-based approaches to address obesity, indicating that this method could be effective, although the specific focus on social networks in this context is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fitzgibbon, Marian L. — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Fitzgibbon, Marian L.
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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.