Understanding how family dynamics affect obesity risk in Hispanic teens
Official title: Exploring longitudinal and momentary effects of family functioning on obesity risk behaviors in Hispanic adolescents and family units
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10976409 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how family life affects weight-related habits in Hispanic teens, and it wants to find better ways to help families work together to support healthier choices by including everyone, like dads and grandparents, and focusing on daily interactions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $133,193 |
| NIH project number | 7K01HL166439-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10976409 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Hispanic adolescents aged 0-11 years and their families, particularly those at risk for obesity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Hispanic or who are outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between family functioning and obesity risk behaviors in Hispanic adolescents. It aims to improve family-based interventions by considering the roles of all family members, including fathers and grandparents, and by analyzing daily family dynamics rather than relying solely on retrospective assessments. The study will utilize data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study to explore how various socioecological factors influence obesity-related behaviors over time. By addressing these gaps, the research seeks to enhance the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing obesity in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective family-based interventions that significantly reduce obesity rates among Hispanic adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that family-based interventions can be effective in addressing obesity, but this approach is novel in its focus on the socioecological factors and daily family dynamics specific to Hispanic adolescents.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fernandez, Alejandra — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Fernandez, Alejandra
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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.