Virtual Housecalls for Adolescent Obesity in Pediatric Primary Care
Official title: Virtual Housecalls: Redesigning Pediatric Primary Care Adolescent Obesity Treatment
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11386711 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A pediatric obesity program is being redesigned to use video visits and family-based support to provide 26 hours of care over 3–12 months for teens at risk of type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $773,703 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK144911-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11386711 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adolescents with obesity and risk factors for type 2 diabetes who can participate in video visits and have access to a device and internet.
✕Less likely to help
Teens without reliable internet access or who cannot participate in video visits may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to adapt obesity treatment for teens into a virtual model that fits families’ lives, using video visits to deliver tailored behavioral counseling in the home and community. It plans to deliver 26 hours of intensive guidance over 3–12 months to improve adherence and outcomes. By combining in-person care with remote sessions, the approach seeks to overcome barriers like transportation and school/work commitments. The effort builds on existing guidelines and prior work to make pediatric obesity care more accessible and effective.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, teens could achieve better weight-related health outcomes and reduced risk of diabetes through easier access to consistent, personalized care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that intensive behavioral programs can help with weight management, and digital delivery may improve reach; this study tests a novel virtual format.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bean, Melanie K — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Bean, Melanie 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.