# Effects of an Early Childhood Intervention on Childhood Obesity

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2021 · $734,081

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Obesity is a major health challenge of the 21st century, putting nearly one-third of adults and one-fifth of
children and adolescents in the United States at risk for a range of health problems, including type 2 diabetes
and cardiovascular diseases. Childhood obesity is now associated with a higher likelihood of obesity in
adulthood, suggesting a vital role for early interventions. Research has identified a number of early life factors
that affect childhood obesity; however, little is known about whether early childhood programs (i.e., preschool)
affects childhood obesity. To address this critical evidence gap, this project builds upon an existing early
childhood study — in which nearly 1,500 3-4 year-old children were randomly assigned to early childhood
programs or to a control group — and measures the causal impact of preschool and parent programs on
children’s diet, activity and obesity. Returning to the children who are now 6-10 years of age, we will compare
early childhood program groups and control groups using data we will collect on diet, activity and obesity for up
to 4 years. Our project will evaluate three new mediators underlying the effects of the programs, specifically
children’s cognitive skills, their executive functions and related skills and parental involvement. Our study also
examines whether there are differential effects by race, comparing the impact of the programs on Hispanic,
African-American and Caucasian children. Understanding the causal impact of early childhood education on
obesity is crucial for the development of public policies aimed at improving the health of the nation, particularly
the widely debated policy on the public provision of preschool. Given the rise in childhood obesity and the
disparities in health outcomes in the U.S., it is imperative to learn about whether such early childhood
programs also have an impact on obesity.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10198909
- **Project number:** 5R01DK114238-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** ASHLESHA DATAR
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $734,081
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10198909

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10198909, Effects of an Early Childhood Intervention on Childhood Obesity (5R01DK114238-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10198909. Licensed CC0.

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