Using a common medication to help treat severe obesity in children
Official title: Toward Repurposing a Commonly-Used Medication for the Treatment of Pediatric Severe Obesity
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10899577 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether a medication called lisdexamfetamine can help kids aged 6 to 12 who are struggling with severe obesity when combined with lifestyle changes, to see if it can make a difference in their weight over six months.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $296,647 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK136538-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10899577 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 6 to 12 years who have severe obesity, defined as a BMI at or above 120% of the 95th percentile for their age and sex.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have severe obesity or are outside the age range of 6 to 12 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the potential of lisdexamfetamine, a commonly prescribed psychostimulant, as an adjunct treatment for severe obesity in children aged 6 to 12 years. The study will involve 44 children who will be randomly assigned to receive either lisdexamfetamine along with lifestyle therapy or a placebo with lifestyle therapy over a 24-week period. The primary goal is to assess changes in body mass index (BMI) to determine the effectiveness of this medication in reducing obesity. By exploring this approach, the research aims to find safe and effective treatment options for pediatric obesity, which is often challenging to manage with lifestyle changes alone.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new treatment option for children struggling with severe obesity, potentially leading to significant weight loss and improved health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that psychostimulants can have favorable effects on weight in children, suggesting that this approach may be promising, though this specific application is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fox, Claudia K — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Fox, Claudia K
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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.