Mobile sleep-boosting tool to help kids stay slim
Official title: Optimizing a Mobile Health Platform for Sleep Promotion and Obesity Prevention in Children
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-11376522 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A mobile health platform is being developed to help children 0-11 sleep better at home, with the aim of preventing obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $612,170 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD108243-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11376522 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children aged 0-11 and their families who receive care in pediatric settings and are at risk for short sleep and higher BMI.
✕Less likely to help
Some children may not benefit if they do not engage with the digital platform or have conditions that require different treatment approaches.
What this research studies
This project creates a child-friendly, remotely delivered sleep-promotion program that parents can use at home. It will tailor messages and activities to each child’s family situation and background, aiming to fit into busy pediatric visits. Researchers will test different components to find the most effective combination for increasing sleep duration and slowing weight gain, across diverse groups. The work is designed to be usable in real-world pediatric primary care settings, not just in a lab. Overall, the goal is a practical tool that helps children sleep longer and maintain a healthier BMI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the platform could help children sleep better and reduce obesity risk, with scalable use in many clinics.
How similar studies have gone: Early sleep interventions show promise, but remote, pediatric-focused, component-optimized approaches are still being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mitchell, Jonathan Andrew — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Mitchell, Jonathan Andrew
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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.