Telehealth treatment for parents of children with autism and obesity

Telehealth Parent-Only Treatment for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Overweight/Obesity

NIH-funded research University of California, San Diego · NIH-10862879

This study is testing a new online program to help parents of children with autism who are also struggling with being overweight, giving them helpful tips to manage their child's weight from the comfort of home.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-10862879 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a telehealth program that provides treatment specifically for parents of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are also dealing with overweight or obesity. The program, known as Parent-based treatment (PBT), aims to equip parents with strategies to help manage their child's weight effectively. By utilizing a telehealth approach, the program allows for greater accessibility and convenience for families, particularly those who may find it challenging to attend in-person sessions. The study will assess the feasibility and effectiveness of this program in promoting weight loss among children with ASD.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are parents of children aged 0-11 years who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and are experiencing overweight or obesity.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or who are not experiencing overweight or obesity may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved weight management and overall health outcomes for children with autism and obesity.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that parent-based treatment programs can be effective for weight management in children, suggesting that this approach may yield positive results for children with ASD as well.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.