UC Receives $985K NIH Grant to Study Infant Obesity
Study will evaluate community-based intervention tailored for low-income families
The University of Cincinnati has been awarded a $985,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health to study a new community-driven program designed to prevent obesity in infants from low-income families.
The initiative will test Healthy Eating for My Infant (HEMI), an intervention co-developed with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, the nonprofit Every Child Succeeds (ECS), and local community partners. The effort focuses on improving feeding practices, nutrition, and caregiver support for children from birth to 12 months.
Cathy Stough, a pediatric psychologist in UC’s Department of Psychology and director of the Healthy Bearcat Families Lab, will lead the project as principal investigator.
Infants from low-income households face higher rates of obesity and related health challenges, yet few prevention programs address their specific needs. Stough noted that factors such as food insecurity, limited access to healthy food, and increased caregiver stress can contribute to obesity risk and other negative health outcomes during early development.
HEMI was created with input from families and community organizations to ensure the program aligns with real-world challenges. The intervention includes monthly home visits with a health behavior coach who provides guidance on nutrition, meal planning, and healthy eating on a budget. Families will also receive grocery delivery, supplemental food, and support from peer counselors who share similar backgrounds and experiences.
The study will enroll 60 infants and their caregivers to assess the program’s feasibility, acceptability, and early outcomes compared to standard home visiting services. Researchers will evaluate changes in infant growth, diet quality, food security, and maternal well-being.
Stough emphasized that community engagement is central to the program’s design. By involving families throughout development and testing, researchers aim to create more effective and sustainable strategies to improve child health.
Findings from the study will inform a larger clinical trial and support the development of scalable approaches to prevent infant obesity in underserved communities.
