Home and Family Based Approaches for the Prevention or Management of Overweight or Obesity in Early Childhood (R01)(R21)

 Additional Information:

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-13-153.html

Description:

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites Research Project Grant (R01) applications from institutions/organizations that propose randomized clinical trials testing novel home- or family-based interventions for the prevention or management of overweight in infancy and early childhood.  Tested interventions can use behavioral (including dietary and physical activity), environmental, or other relevant approaches.

Applications should focus on infants and young children (to age 6 years) and emphasize the role of home environment and the influence of family/extended family members and parents (including guardians/ substantial care providers) within the child's home environment.  The direct goal of this initiative is to fund research that will advance knowledge for innovative approaches to the prevention or management of overweight in children less than 6 years of age, with potential for future translation to applications either in the home or linked to a community setting.  Research should consider the familial mechanisms of behavior such as the role of families in the initiation, support, and reinforcement of fundamental food and beverage consumption, physical activity practices, and sedentary behaviors.  In addition, it is of interest to elucidate various underlying behavioral determinants that are crucial to initiate or sustain changes in behaviors that impact energy balance.  Research designs may include linkages with other settings (e.g., daycare, pre-school, or other community venues) or other care providers (e.g., health care providers or teachers) but must include infants or children less than age 6 years as the primary study participant along with parents, and/or other family members residing with the child.  The overarching goal is to identify interventions that influence parent and child behaviors that contribute to inappropriate weight gain, and thereby improve subsequent health status in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood for which overweight is a known risk factor.