Understanding how young adults adopt and maintain healthy behaviors
Official title: Microtemporal Processes Underlying Health Behavior Adoption and Maintenance
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-10224874 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 15, 2018 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2021 |
| Award (this year) | $648,337 |
| NIH project number | 5U01HL146327-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10224874 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young adults aged 18-24 who are looking to adopt or maintain healthier lifestyle habits.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dunton, Genevieve Fridlund — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Dunton, Genevieve Fridlund
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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.