Measuring physical activity in toddlers
Official title: Physical Activity Measurement in Toddlers
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-11237478 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how little kids under 2 years old develop their habits for being active, and it’s creating a new tool to better track their movement so we can learn how to help them stay healthy and active from a young age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $420,780 |
| NIH project number | 7R01HL155113-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11237478 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are toddlers aged 1 to 2 years who are being monitored for their physical activity levels.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 2 years or those with significant physical disabilities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how physical activity habits develop in toddlers aged 2 years and younger. It aims to address the current limitations in measuring physical activity levels in this age group by developing a new machine learning algorithm that processes accelerometer data more accurately. By improving the accuracy of physical activity measurement, the study seeks to provide insights into the physical activity behaviors of young children. This could help identify when and how to encourage healthier activity levels from an early age.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better strategies for promoting physical activity in toddlers, potentially improving their long-term health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using machine learning for activity recognition in older children, suggesting this approach may also be effective for toddlers.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kwon, Soyang — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Kwon, Soyang
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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.