Understanding how childhood obesity develops over time

Developmental trajectories of reinforcer pathology and childhood obesity

['FUNDING_R01'] · STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO · NIH-11043582

This study looks at how kids' reasons for eating and being active change as they grow up, especially how their ability to wait for rewards affects their choices, to help understand what leads to obesity in young people.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorSTATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO (nih funded)
Locations1 site (AMHERST, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11043582 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates how the motivations for eating and physical activity change as children grow, particularly focusing on the role of reward systems in decision-making. It examines how children's ability to delay gratification and make healthier choices evolves from childhood into adolescence and early adulthood. By studying the balance between the desire for food and the motivation to be active, the research aims to identify factors that contribute to obesity in youth. The study will utilize behavioral assessments to measure these motivations and their impact on weight gain.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include children and adolescents aged 0 to 20 years who are experiencing issues related to obesity or weight management.

Not a fit: Patients who are not within the age range of 0 to 20 years or who do not have concerns related to obesity may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better strategies for preventing and treating obesity in children and adolescents.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the relationship between reward systems and obesity, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

AMHERST, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.