Understanding how childhood obesity develops over time
Official title: Developmental trajectories of reinforcer pathology and childhood obesity
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11043582 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $695,295 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK139258-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043582 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and adolescents aged 0 to 20 years who are experiencing issues related to obesity or weight management.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Epstein, Leonard H — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Epstein, Leonard H
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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.