More Outside Your Door (MOYD)
Funded at Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium · NIH-11126595 · Data updated 2026-11-12
MOYD helps Alaska Native preschool children, families, schools, and communities bring traditional foods, outdoor activities, and health screening feedback into daily life to lower childhood obesity and future diabetes risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Anchorage, United States) |
| Project start | September 11, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $505,544 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL168853-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11126595 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are Alaska Native children ages 3 to 5 enrolled in participating rural Head Start programs, along with their parents or caregivers and local community members.
✕Less likely to help
Children outside the 3–5 age range, families in nonparticipating communities, or children with medical conditions that prevent outdoor activity may not receive benefit from this program.
What this research studies
MOYD partners with rural Alaska Head Start programs to introduce traditional foods and outdoor, culturally centered physical activities in preschool classrooms. Families receive personalized feedback from their child's health screenings alongside resources to support healthier eating, sleep, and play at home. The project supports community changes to make outdoor play areas safer and more inviting for all residents. Teachers and community members work together to adapt a culturally grounded curriculum that fits local traditions and daily routines.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, MOYD could help preschool children reach healthier weights and reduce their long-term risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
How similar studies have gone: Culturally tailored, community-based programs have shown improvements in diet and activity in Indigenous and rural groups, though long-term diabetes prevention results remain limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Anchorage, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stillwater, Barbara Janoah — Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
- Study coordinator: Stillwater, Barbara Janoah
Related research
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More Outside Your Door helps Alaska Native kids stay healthy
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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.