Understanding how early life factors influence obesity risk
Official title: A Pre-, Peri-, and Post-natal Approach to Understanding the Risk and Mechanisms for Obesity
Funded at Michigan State University · NIH-11045718 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how things that happen before, during, and after birth, like a mom's weight and the bacteria in her baby's gut, can influence whether a child might become overweight later on, and it’s for families who want to understand more about healthy growth in their little ones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $671,154 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK135054-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045718 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women and their infants, particularly those with varying maternal BMI.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or whose children are older than 2 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how factors before, during, and after birth can affect the risk of obesity in children. It focuses on the role of gut bacteria and their metabolites in shaping an infant's growth and health. By examining the relationship between maternal body mass index (BMI) and the infant gut microbiota, the study aims to uncover how these early exposures can program a child's likelihood of developing obesity. The research will involve analyzing samples from mothers and their infants to identify key biological mechanisms at play.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing obesity in young children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of gut microbiota in obesity, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Michigan State University
East Lansing, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Comstock, Sarah S. — Michigan State University
- Study coordinator: Comstock, Sarah S.
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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.