Using mobile technology to assess body composition and physical activity in adults with Down syndrome
Official title: Improving Body Composition Assessment and Physical Activity Monitoring in Adults with Down Syndrome using Mobile Technology
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-10867896 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a friendly mobile app to help adults with Down syndrome easily track their body health and activity levels, making it less stressful than traditional methods, so they can stay healthy and catch any weight-related issues early on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $245,257 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD115191-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10867896 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults with Down syndrome who are at risk of obesity and related health issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Down syndrome or those who do not have access to mobile technology may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving how body composition and physical activity are measured in adults with Down syndrome by utilizing mobile technology. The study aims to develop and implement a user-friendly mobile application that can accurately track these health metrics in a comfortable setting, reducing the anxiety often associated with traditional testing methods. By leveraging wearable technology, the research seeks to provide a more accessible and less intimidating way for individuals with Down syndrome to monitor their health. The goal is to facilitate early detection and intervention for obesity-related health issues, ultimately improving health outcomes for this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and comfortable methods for monitoring health in adults with Down syndrome, potentially reducing their risk of obesity-related diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using wearable technology for health monitoring, suggesting that this approach could be effective for adults with Down syndrome.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nickerson, Brett Stephen — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Nickerson, Brett Stephen
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Better Ways to Measure Health and Activity for Adults with Down Syndrome Using Mobile Devices
This project aims to find easier and more comfortable ways to measure body health and physical activity for adults with Down syndrome using mobile and wearable devices.
-
Exploring how Down syndrome affects optic nerve health in kids
A study using a mouse model to understand why optic nerve problems are common in children with Down syndrome and how to prevent them.
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Executive Function Enhancement for Young Children with Down Syndrome
A caregiver-guided program for kids with Down syndrome aged up to 11 to strengthen their thinking skills during early childhood.
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Preterm infant body composition and early-life health after NICU stay
This grant studies how body composition in very preterm babies relates to later brain development and risk of obesity or diabetes, with findings meant to improve care from NICU through early childhood.
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Silencing an Extra Chromosome to Help Down Syndrome and Related Conditions
A patient-friendly plan to use a gene-based approach to quiet an extra chromosome in cells and a mouse model to reduce disease-related effects in Down syndrome and other chromosomal imbalance disorders.
-
Infant Down Syndrome Brain and Behavior Study
A study of infants with Down syndrome to collect brain imaging and developmental data, creating a large, shared resource to understand how autism and other factors relate to development.
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.