NIH grant: TEEN-Rx: Tailoring and Evaluating an Effective Nutrition & Lifestyle Intervention for Adolescents Using Obesity Medications (1K01DK149412-01)

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NIH grant 1K01DK149412-01: TEEN-Rx: Tailoring and Evaluating an Effective Nutrition & Lifestyle Intervention for Adolescents Using Obesity Medications
Institute: {'code': 'DK', 'abbreviation': 'NIDDK', 'name': 'National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases', 'admin_org_id': '12500020', 'admin_funding_url': ''}. PI: Sophie  Ravanbakht. Award: $151244.
Start: 2026-08-21T00:00:00.
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Obesity affects one in five U.S. youth and increases the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other
chronic conditions that persist into adulthood. The recent approval and growing use of obesity medications
(e.g., liraglutide, semaglutide, phentermine/topiramate, orlistat) in adolescents represents a transformative
advance in treatment, yet without tailored behavioral support, medication use alone may not yield sustainable
benefits and may increase risks such as nutrient deficiencies, lean mass loss, and disordered eating
behaviors. Peer support is a promising strategy to address these challenges by fostering self-management,
autonomous motivation, and social support.
This K01 project aims to adapt and pilot an evidence-based peer coaching model (PiCASO) for adolescents
using obesity medications, with three specific aims. Aim 1 will characterize adolescents’ lifestyle behaviors,
barriers to medication adherence, and support needs using a mixed-methods approach with surveys and semi-
structured interviews of adolescents, caregivers, and clinicians. Aim 2 will adapt the PiCASO intervention to
this population using the ADAPT-ITT framework and input from adolescents, caregivers, and clinicians. Aim 3
will pilot the adapted intervention in a randomized study of 40 adolescents initiating obesity medication therapy
to assess feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary behavioral outcomes including goal-setting follow-through,
knowledge gains, autonomous motivation, and perceived social support.
The study will use validated behavioral and psychosocial measures, automated fidelity tracking, and mixed-
methods analysis to refine intervention delivery. Findings will produce pilot data and training necessary to
support a fully powered R01 evaluating the efficacy of a peer-supported lifestyle intervention for adolescents
initiating obesity medication therapy. This project will advance knowledge of how to integrate behavioral
support with pharmacotherapy in adolescent obesity treatment, improve the safety and sustainability of obesity
medication use, and contribute to scalable, evidence-based models to reduce disparities and improve
adolescent health outcomes.

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