Understanding how maternal obesity affects children's brain development and obesity risk
Official title: Neurobiobehavioral Underpinnings of Intergenerational Obesity
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11161549 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a mother's weight before and during pregnancy might affect her child's brain development and eating habits, with the goal of finding ways to help prevent childhood obesity right from the start.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $195,480 |
| NIH project number | 5K23DK138300-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11161549 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women with varying body weights and their newborns, particularly those at risk for obesity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or whose children are older than two years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of maternal obesity on the brain development of children, particularly focusing on how it influences behaviors related to food intake and obesity risk. By analyzing data from a pre-birth cohort, the study aims to uncover the neurobiological mechanisms that may lead to obesity in children exposed to maternal obesity during pregnancy. The research will explore how maternal weight before pregnancy impacts newborn behaviors and brain connectivity, which are crucial for regulating food intake and reward sensitivity. This understanding could lead to innovative strategies for preventing childhood obesity during the critical first 1,000 days of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide insights that help prevent childhood obesity and its associated health risks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in animal models has shown that maternal obesity can significantly affect offspring development, suggesting that similar findings may be applicable to humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Monthe-Dreze, Carmen Tchokonthe — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Monthe-Dreze, Carmen Tchokonthe
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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.