Group of little kids with magnifying glasses.

Our Research

Our research generates the evidence needed to support funding and policy decisions that improve child health outcomes on a broad scale.

Areas of Focus

Three areas of focus drive our center's innovation, transdisciplinary collaboration, and impactful science to improve child health and wellbeing at domestic and global levels. Select each focus to learn about topics, emphases, and aims. View individual current and past research projects below to learn about project goals, findings, and people involved.

Through rigorous, transdisciplinary research, we investigate the intersection of physical health, cognitive development, and emotional well-being.
We investigate critical factors that shape children’s physical, socio-emotional, and cognitive health. A key area of this work is understanding child self-regulation as a key mechanism that influences these interconnected domains.
We continue to emphasize energy balance, nutrition, and obesity prevention, in examining how self-regulation affects eating, activity, and overall health.
Our exploration integrates research on nutrition, sleep, and family dynamics while considering individual and environmental influences.
We can enhance intervention effectiveness by studying biological and behavioral risk factors and by prioritizing cognitive and emotional development.
We are committed to developing scalable, preventive solutions that optimize child health outcomes.

We are committed to advancing knowledge on the critical role of parenting, family support systems, social determinants, and environmental influences in shaping child health and wellbeing.
A key area of this work is the integration of healthcare, social services, and family preservation programs, that work to mitigate the effects of early life trauma and adversity.
We explore how child trauma, socioeconomic disparities, and environmental stressors affect child development and long-term outcomes, and whether parenting programs, early childhood education, and mental health services can mitigate the effects of adversity and foster resilience.
We develop evidence to support policies and interventions that enhance child welfare, prevent adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and promote family resilience.
By addressing the broader ecological factors that impact children’s health and development, we seek to develop evidence-based solutions that support families and communities.
We investigate the impact of parenting strategies, community resources, and systemic interventions on family dynamics, with a focus on preventing child abuse and neglect, strengthening caregiver-child relationships, and enhancing emotional and social development.
We aim to develop policies that address health inequities, improve access to essential services, and support children in vulnerable populations, particularly those in disadvantaged and rural communities.

We are dedicated to advancing knowledge and interventions that support children with developmental, intellectual, and physical disabilities.
We place emphasis on early detection, intervention, and comprehensive support systems that promote optimal child and family health outcomes.
A key area of this research is addressing health disparities and barriers to equitable access in healthcare, education, and social services for children with disabilities.
We investigate both social and biological factors that contribute to these disparities, work to develop targeted policies and interventions that improve inclusivity and accessibility. This includes enhancing screening tools, refining early intervention strategies, and advocating for systemic changes that ensure children receive the care and support they need from infancy through adolescence.
Recognizing the diverse needs of families with children or parents who have disabilities, we prioritize testing tailored, evidence-based interventions to meet their unique needs. This includes exploring family-centered care models, mental health support, and clinic and community-based services that strengthen caregiver resilience and child development.
We seek to expand access to interventions in underserved populations, particularly rural and low-income communities, to ensure equitable outcomes for children with disabilities across all settings.
By understanding the intersection of disability, family dynamics, and broader social determinants, we aim to promote child health and well-being for children with disabilities.

Projects

Recruiting Participants

#MomLife

Examines the day-to-day lives of mothers with young children who live in rural or rural-adjacent communities in Northern Appalachia.

Early Intervention to Promote Cardiovascular Health of Mothers and Children (ENRICH)

ENRICH aims to test the effectiveness of an intervention designed to promote cardiovascular health and address cardiovascular health disparities in both mothers and children (0-5 years old).

Female caretaker and child selecting produce at a grocery store.

Healthy Mom Zone (HMZ): A Gestational Weight Gain Management Intervention 

The study offers a personalized behavioral intervention to help pregnant individuals with overweight or obesity manage gestational weight gain through healthy eating and physical activity.

Healthy Mom Zone (HMZ): A Gestational Weight Gain Management Intervention 2.0

Control Systems Engineering for Optimizing a Prenatal Weight Gain Intervention

Recruiting Participants

Mother and daughter making dough in their kitchen.

I-EAT

I-EAT project will examine how differences in interoception contribute to obesity risk in children.

INSIGHT

The Intervention Nurses Start Infants Growing on Healthy Trajectories (INSIGHT) study is an ongoing prospective, randomized, controlled trial evaluating the efficacy of an intervention designed to prevent rapid infant weight gain and childhood obesity among 276 first-born infants.

Optimizing Nutrition Education for Parents and Teachers for Healthy Growth (ONE PATH)

The ONE PATH study will address childhood obesity in rural, underserved areas.

Apprehensive child sits with parents as a medical professional with a clipboard engages the family.

patiEnt-cliNic-Community Integration to prevent obesity in Rural preschool ChiLdrEn (ENCIRCLE)

The ENCIRCLE study is a collaboration with Geisinger, a large health care system serving rural and medically underserved communities across Pennsylvania, designed to promote family-centered counseling to prevent obesity among high-risk preschool-aged children.

Mom on the floor of bedroom with two young children.

SIBSIGHT

An observational cohort study of second-born siblings of children enrolled in the INSIGHT trial.

Sleep SAAF: Strong African American Families

A responsive parenting intervention on how to soothe, distinguish hunger from other distress, how to promote self-soothing, and bedtime routines among infants.

Three tween girls eating ice cream and making faces at the camera.

TweenSPACE

TweenSPACEis an observational study of sleep and eating behaviors in 8–12-year-old children living in rural communities throughout the United States.

WEE Baby

Overall, integrated, coordinated care was perceived to be an acceptable strategy to facilitate consistent, preventive education and improve patient-centeredness.

Our Research

Areas of Focus

Projects

#MomLife

Early Intervention to Promote Cardiovascular Health of Mothers and Children (ENRICH)

Healthy Mom Zone (HMZ): A Gestational Weight Gain Management Intervention

Healthy Mom Zone (HMZ): A Gestational Weight Gain Management Intervention 2.0

I-EAT

INSIGHT

Optimizing Nutrition Education for Parents and Teachers for Healthy Growth (ONE PATH)

patiEnt-cliNic-Community Integration to prevent obesity in Rural preschool ChiLdrEn (ENCIRCLE)

SIBSIGHT

Sleep SAAF: Strong African American Families

TweenSPACE

WEE Baby

Legal Statements

Healthy Mom Zone (HMZ): A Gestational Weight Gain Management Intervention 

Healthy Mom Zone (HMZ): A Gestational Weight Gain Management Intervention 2.0