Long-term, population-wide impact of a school-based parenting program to prevent obesity

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This project aims to see if teaching parents predictable, nurturing practices through a school setting can lower obesity risk in children living in communities with higher stress and fewer resources. The study builds on prior evidence that parenting support can improve kids’ self-regulation, mental health, and healthy behaviors, potentially translating into better body weight outcomes. Researchers will track children’s BMI metrics and health indicators over time, using population-level data to assess long-term effects. The focus is on Black and Latino families, addressing social determinants of health that contribute to obesity disparities. The work is designed to inform scalable, real-world strategies for obesity prevention in diverse urban populations.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• New York University School of Medicine
  New York, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Ursache, Alexandra — New York University School of Medicine
• Study coordinator: Ursache, Alexandra

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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• Helping Latina mothers reduce stress to improve their children's health

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  NIH research American University · Washington, UNITED STATES · NIH-10894035

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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.