Investigating how weight loss surgery before pregnancy affects children's health.
Official title: Preconception obesity treatment: maternal bariatric surgery and long-term child health outcomes
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-10895976 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how losing weight through surgery before having a baby might help reduce the chances of obesity and health problems in their children, and it’s for women who are considering or have had weight loss surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $453,732 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD109246-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10895976 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women of childbearing age with obesity who are considering or have undergone bariatric surgery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not planning to become pregnant or those who do not have obesity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the impact of maternal obesity and the effects of bariatric surgery on long-term health outcomes for children. It aims to determine if women who undergo weight loss surgery before conception can reduce the risk of obesity and related health issues in their offspring. The study will analyze data from a large group of women who had bariatric surgery and their children, comparing their health metrics to those of children from women who did not have the surgery. By examining factors such as weight gain and BMI in children up to six years old, the research seeks to provide insights into the benefits of preconception weight loss.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for children born to mothers who have undergone bariatric surgery before pregnancy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results regarding the benefits of bariatric surgery on maternal and child health, indicating that this approach is both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Purnell, Jonathan Q. — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Purnell, Jonathan Q.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Comparing bariatric (weight‑loss) surgery with GLP‑1 and SGLT‑2 diabetes medicines for people with obesity and type 2 diabetes
This project compares long-term benefits and safety of weight‑loss surgery versus GLP‑1 and SGLT‑2 diabetes medicines for adults who have obesity and type 2 diabetes.
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Weight-loss surgery effects on memory and brain health in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes
This project tracks whether bariatric (weight-loss) surgery helps thinking and brain health in adults with severe obesity and type 2 diabetes by measuring changes before and after surgery.
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Parents' weight loss before pregnancy and children's long-term health
This project looks at whether mothers who lose weight from bariatric surgery before pregnancy have children who grow into healthier weights through early childhood.
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How nutrient delivery affects weight loss and brain signaling after bariatric surgery
This study is looking at how quickly nutrients reach the gut and how that affects weight loss and brain signals in people having bariatric surgery, to help us understand how gut health can influence feelings of fullness and food choices.
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Comparing the effectiveness and safety of surgery and medications for obesity and type 2 diabetes
This study is looking at how well metabolic surgery works compared to certain medications for treating obesity and type 2 diabetes, so that patients and doctors can better understand the best options for managing these conditions, especially for those who might not always get the best care.
-
Understanding how knee pain and knee obesity and muscle loss affect knee osteoarthritis
This project looks at how knee swelling, excess knee fat, and muscle loss relate to pain and structural changes in knee osteoarthritis in adults.
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.