Understanding how young adults adopt and maintain healthy behaviors

Microtemporal Processes Underlying Health Behavior Adoption and Maintenance

NIH-funded research University of Southern California · NIH-10224874

This study looks at the struggles young adults have when trying to start and stick with healthy habits like exercising and getting enough sleep, and it aims to find helpful ways to make these habits last longer.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Southern California NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10224874 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the challenges young adults face in adopting and maintaining healthy behaviors, such as physical activity and sleep, which are crucial for preventing weight gain and chronic diseases. It focuses on the differences between the initial adoption of these behaviors and their long-term maintenance, utilizing real-time data collection methods to capture micro-temporal processes. By examining both reflective and reactive decision-making processes, the study aims to identify effective strategies for sustaining healthy habits over time.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are young adults aged 18-24 who are looking to adopt or maintain healthier lifestyle habits.

Not a fit: Patients who are not in the age range of 18-24 or those who are already successfully maintaining healthy behaviors may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions that help young adults maintain healthy behaviors, reducing their risk of chronic diseases.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding the psychological processes behind behavior change can lead to successful interventions, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.