Preventing obesity in children with Down syndrome
Official title: Obesity Prevention Targets for Down Syndrome
Funded at Colorado State University · NIH-10912001 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to help prevent obesity in children with Down syndrome by understanding what factors might contribute to weight gain, and it involves working closely with families to find the best strategies for keeping these kids healthy as they grow up.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project start | September 3, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $653,533 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD105233-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10912001 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children with Down syndrome, particularly those aged 0-11 years who are at risk for obesity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Down syndrome or those who are not within the specified age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding and preventing obesity in children with Down syndrome, a group that is particularly vulnerable to weight issues. The team will conduct a longitudinal study to identify factors that contribute to obesity risk, such as co-occurring health conditions and feeding challenges. By gathering data over time, they aim to develop effective prevention strategies that can be implemented during early childhood, potentially improving health outcomes for these children as they grow. The research will involve close collaboration with families and caregivers to ensure comprehensive data collection and support.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted obesity prevention strategies that significantly improve the health and quality of life for children with Down syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been limited research specifically targeting obesity prevention in children with Down syndrome, similar longitudinal studies in other populations have shown promising results in identifying effective prevention strategies.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Daunhauer, Lisa Ann — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Daunhauer, Lisa Ann
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Obesity Prevention Targets for Down Syndrome
A study to find early, practical ways to prevent overweight and obesity in children and adults with Down syndrome.
-
Preventing excess weight in young children with Down syndrome
This project will test ways to prevent excess weight in young children with Down syndrome by tracking their growth, eating, activity, and sleep.
-
Helping communities use proven obesity-prevention ideas for kids
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GrowSmart: A kid-friendly AI tool to help primary care teams prevent obesity
A pediatric primary care tool using artificial intelligence helps identify kids at risk for obesity and supports doctors and families in choosing healthy lifestyle steps.
-
Strategies to boost impact of an obesity prevention program in communities
A project will test how to scale and optimize HEALTH, a proven weight-management program for young adult women, in real community settings.
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Community-driven Infant Obesity Prevention: Supporting Healthy Feeding by Addressing Moms’ Mental Health
A community-informed program helps low-income families with infants develop healthy eating and feeding habits early, while supporting mothers’ mental health.
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.