Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) awarded a Project Grant of $169,225 (Award Date: July 1, 2026; Ultimate Completion Date: April 30, 2031) under the Cardiovascular Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.837) to The Regents of the University of Colorado, doing business as University of Colorado-Denver, to conduct research on obesity interventions in preschool-aged children. Dr. Rochelle Cason-Wilkerson, the principal investigator, will lead the Targeted Intervention and Process Strategies (TIPS) initiative, which adapts an existing hospital-based weight management clinical program to address high attrition rates and improve health outcomes for families with preschool-aged children (ages 2-5 years).

The research deliverables include the adaptation of existing weight management care processes using co-creation methodologies to support the unique needs of families, identification and modification of implementation strategies to reduce attrition, and integration of health navigator-provider partnerships with flexible appointment modalities. The project will screen and refer families for supportive services designed to address common barriers to treatment engagement and success. Through mixed-methods research, the study will generate evidence on effective implementation strategies to decrease program attrition and improve lifestyle modifications and health outcomes in this underserved pediatric population, contributing to the research evidence base for obesity prevention and management in early childhood.