Understanding Pregnancy Weight Gain in Minnesota
The ECHO Minnesota Pre-Conception and Pregnancy Cohort
This research looks at how experiences from childhood and common environmental factors might influence weight changes during and before pregnancy for women in Minnesota.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11319093 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We want to understand how stressful events in childhood, like abuse, might affect a woman's weight before and during pregnancy. We are also exploring how certain chemicals called phthalates, found in plastics and processed foods, could play a role in pregnancy weight gain. By connecting these factors, we hope to learn more about why some women experience excessive weight gain during pregnancy. This knowledge could help us develop better ways to support healthy pregnancies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be women in Minnesota who are planning a pregnancy or are currently pregnant, and who are interested in contributing to research on maternal and child health.
Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or planning a pregnancy, or who do not reside in the study's geographic area, would not directly benefit from participation in this specific cohort.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies for supporting healthy weight during pregnancy, especially for women with a history of childhood stress or exposure to certain environmental chemicals.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown mixed findings regarding childhood abuse and gestational weight gain, and this research aims to add new insights by considering environmental factors like phthalates.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nguyen, Hong-Ngoc B. — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Nguyen, Hong-Ngoc B.
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 below.