# Preparing for Obesity Treatment Optimization: A Mixed Methods Study with Transition-Age Autistic Youth

> **NIH NIH R21** · CHILDREN'S HOSP OF PHILADELPHIA · 2024 · $296,945

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Obesity can pose a lifelong threat to health and quality of life for many autistic people. Across the lifespan in
autism, obesity prevalence is increased relative to non-autistic peers. One third of autistic adults have obesity
and there are concerning associations between obesity and in-hospital mortality, risk of type II diabetes, and
cardiovascular disease. Prevention in childhood should be a priority; however, ~100,000 autistic youth will
transition to adulthood each year in the United States, and there is no existing comprehensive treatment for
obesity designed specifically for autistic individuals transitioning to adulthood and greater independence. The
overall objective of this study is to identify stakeholder-generated and testable treatment components to inform
obesity intervention specifically designed for transition-age autistic youth. Comprehensive obesity treatment
programs are prime candidates for the engineering-inspired Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST)
framework that optimizes multicomponent behavioral treatment packages to expedite implementation and
maximize scalability. The proposed online study, grounded in activities for the MOST Preparation Phase, will
use a simultaneous exploratory mixed methods study design to gather perspectives on obesity treatment directly
from transition-age autistic youth with obesity. Thirty transition-age autistic youth with obesity (16-25 years) will
complete qualitative interviews to identify stakeholder-generated factors that impact obesity treatment (Aim 1).
Transition-age autistic youth with obesity (N=120), caregivers of transition-age autistic youth with obesity (N=60),
and clinical providers (N=60) will rate and prioritize the perceived effectiveness of obesity treatment components
(e.g., diet modifications, text message prompts, parent training, goal setting) that could be included in a
comprehensive obesity intervention program tailored for transition-age autistic youth (Aim 2). Then, in
partnership with a Community Advisory Board, we will integrate Aim 1 qualitative and Aim 2 quantitative findings
to iteratively develop a set of treatment components specifically tailored for transition-age autistic youth with
obesity that can be subsequently tested in a MOST framework optimization trial. The resulting Obesity Treatment
Blueprint for Transition-Age Autistic Youth will also provide initial steps toward adaptation of existing
interventions that can be leveraged for use within the proposed tailored treatment package. Aligned with NICHD
Scientific Theme 4, ‘Improving Child and Adolescent Health and the Transition to Adulthood,’ this program of
work will meet the pressing need for effective obesity treatment to improve health and quality of life for autistic
individuals across the lifespan.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10869237
- **Project number:** 1R21HD115080-01
- **Recipient organization:** CHILDREN'S HOSP OF PHILADELPHIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Emily Sarah Kuschner
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $296,945
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-07-10 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10869237

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10869237, Preparing for Obesity Treatment Optimization: A Mixed Methods Study with Transition-Age Autistic Youth (1R21HD115080-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10869237. Licensed CC0.

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