Minnesota Center for Healthy Weight in Kids and Families
University of Minnesota Prevention Research Center
This center delivers and spreads a proven family program to help children from lower-income and BIPOC households eat healthier, be more active, and support healthier weights.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136809 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You and your family would join community-based programs that teach healthier eating, fun physical activity, and ways to support children’s healthy weight. The center will run a Hybrid Type 2 trial of the evidence-based NET-Works intervention while also studying the best ways to share and keep the program working in real communities. Work is done with local partners, schools, public health agencies, and community leaders to reach families in underserved neighborhoods. The center also builds training and infrastructure so these programs can be offered more widely and sustainably.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are children with overweight or obesity and their families from lower-income households and historically underserved or BIPOC communities in the Twin Cities area and nearby communities.
Not a fit: Adults without children, families whose children are already at a healthy weight, or kids needing specialized medical or surgical weight treatments are unlikely to benefit directly from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, families could gain lasting skills, supports, and community programs that help children eat better, move more, and lower their risk of excess weight.
How similar studies have performed: NET-Works is an evidence-based family and community program and similar community-based approaches have shown positive effects on children’s eating and activity behaviors, though broader rollout can be challenging.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Laska, Melissa N. — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Laska, Melissa N.
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 below.