Preventing obesity in new mothers at risk for heart disease
Official title: Obesity Prevention in Postpartum Women at High-Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10908432 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping new moms, especially those at risk for heart problems, to manage their weight after having a baby by using fun and supportive ways to encourage healthy habits.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $173,567 |
| NIH project number | 5K23HL153667-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10908432 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are postpartum women, particularly those who have experienced preeclampsia or are at high risk for cardiovascular disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not postpartum or those without risk factors for cardiovascular disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on helping postpartum women, especially those at high risk for cardiovascular disease, to manage their weight effectively. It aims to understand the factors that lead to excessive weight retention after childbirth and to develop a behavioral intervention that combines social incentives and game design elements to encourage healthy lifestyle changes. Participants will engage in a structured weight loss program tailored to their needs, with support from experienced mentors in cardiovascular and maternal health. The goal is to create a scalable solution that can be implemented widely to improve health outcomes for these women.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce obesity rates among postpartum women, thereby lowering their risk of cardiovascular disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that combining behavioral interventions with social incentives can effectively promote healthy behaviors in various populations, suggesting a promising approach for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lewey, Jennifer — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Lewey, Jennifer
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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.