Understanding how children's weight changes during summer and school breaks
Official title: Identifying Patterns of BMI Development and Associated Behavioral, Social, Environmental, Genetic, and Biological Factors for Children from 3-10 Years
Funded at University of South Carolina at Columbia · NIH-11140456 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how kids' weight changes during summer and school breaks to understand why some gain extra pounds, focusing on things like daylight and the difference in daily routines, and it's for families with children aged 3 to 10 who want to learn more about keeping their kids healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $619,718 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD112351-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11140456 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 3 to 10 years, particularly those who experience significant changes in their daily routines during summer and school breaks.
✕Less likely to help
Children who do not experience weight changes or who are not affected by seasonal variations in activity and diet may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how children's body mass index (BMI) changes during the summer months and school breaks, focusing on the factors that contribute to weight gain. It explores two main theories: one that links BMI changes to biological rhythms influenced by daylight, and another that examines how the lack of a structured school day affects children's eating and activity habits. By measuring children's BMI before and after summer and breaks, the study aims to identify patterns and factors that lead to increased obesity in children aged 3 to 10 years. The findings could help develop strategies to manage and prevent childhood obesity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective interventions that help prevent childhood obesity by understanding the factors influencing weight gain during critical periods.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that seasonal changes can impact children's weight, but this study aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the specific factors involved.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weaver, Robert G — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Weaver, Robert G
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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.