WATCH: A Mindful Lifestyle Program for Adolescent Girls to Help Healthier Habits
Official title: Wellness Achieved Through Changing Habits (WATCH): An Acceptance-Based Healthy Lifestyle Intervention for Adolescent Girls
Funded at Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware · NIH-11397789 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A teen-focused program uses acceptance-based, mindful strategies to help adolescent girls adopt healthier eating and activity habits.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Wilmington, United States) |
| Project start | August 9, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $665,270 |
| NIH project number | 5R33HL158514-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11397789 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adolescent girls with overweight or obesity (ages roughly mid-teens to late teens) who can attend in-person group sessions.
✕Less likely to help
Teens without access to the program or those not seeking behavioral weight management may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project builds on a feasible 6-month program for girls with overweight or obesity, teaching self-regulation and mindful coping to stick with diet and exercise. It uses group sessions led by trained instructors and aims to help participants handle real-life pressures that derail healthy habits. If successful, it could provide a practical approach to long-term weight management during adolescence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, teens could develop lasting healthy habits that reduce risk for obesity-related conditions like type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior adult studies show ABT can support weight loss; feasibility in adolescents has been demonstrated, suggesting potential for success with this population.
Where this research is happening
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Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware
Wilmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Manasse, Stephanie — Nemours Children's Hospital, Delaware
- Study coordinator: Manasse, Stephanie
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.