Retaining the CANDLE cohort to find early-life risk factors for obesity and mental health in kids
Official title: Retaining the CANDLE cohort to advance ECHO Cohort solution-oriented research and identify early-life modifiable risk factors for obesity and mental health problems in children
Funded at University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr · NIH-11362597 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large NIH grant uses data from the CANDLE and ECHO cohorts to find early-life factors linked to obesity and mental health problems in children and teens.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,200,996 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3OD035519-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11362597 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children and adolescents, including those with obesity or mood-related concerns, and their families, who are part of the ECHO/CANDLE cohort networks or similar populations.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not connected to the study cohorts or not matching the age ranges or exposure profiles may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project analyzes long-term health data from children and their families to identify early exposures that raise or lower the risk of obesity and mood-related issues. Researchers will examine developmental factors, maternal stress, and family/community influences to understand how these risks unfold over time. Using a developmentally informed approach, they will create a new neurodevelopmental outcome measure to better connect early life experiences with later mental health and weight outcomes. The work aims to pinpoint targets for prevention that could improve child and adolescent health and reduce future disease burden.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could guide more effective early prevention strategies to reduce obesity and mental health problems in youth.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using large pediatric cohorts have identified associations between early exposures and later obesity or mental health, but this project aims to sharpen causal links and prioritize prevention targets.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Qi — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Qi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.