Pediatric Research Program

The Pediatric Research Program at Pennington Biomedical focuses on understanding, preventing, and treating obesity and diabetes in children. The program integrates clinical research, community outreach, and education to address these health challenges.

Pennington Biomedical Research Center offers various pediatric clinical trials. If you don't see a trial that fits your interests or needs, click here to complete a questionnaire and we will contact you about any future trials for which you may qualify.

 

FAQs About Joining a Clinical Trial

Current Clinical Trials Available
BabyEE Pilot Seeking infants between 1 - 3 months of age
Born 2 Burn Calories Seeking moms with infants 0-21 days (3 weeks) old
ENGAGE Seeking medical providers with experience treating children with obesity
Shape Up! Keiki Seeking children 5 years of age or younger
STEP TEENS Seeking adolescents between 12 and 15 years old

 

Pediatric Research in Action

Obesity-related metabolic issues once seen only in adults are now affecting children and adolescents. Studies show that childhood obesity is a strong predictor of adult health problems and that maternal health during pregnancy affects a child's future health. Obesity also increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes in adolescents, a condition that is now more common and harder to control in this age group. Therefore, preventing and managing pediatric obesity is a top research priority at Pennington Biomedical.

As a leader in obesity research, Pennington Biomedical is perfectly positioned to:

  • Understand the root causes of childhood obesity and related conditions like diabetes
  • Design evidence-based studies and interventions for prevention and treatment
  • Create a collaborative environment with stakeholders to accelerate research into practice

 

 

The Cost of Obesity

40 percent obesity

 

In our state alone, 21.8% of children ages 10-17 in Louisiana are living with obesity.1 Louisiana has the 3rd highest rate of childhood obesity in the nation.2 The State’s cost of childhood obesity associated illness increased from $35 million to $127 million over the past two decades according to the Pennington Biomedical Research Center (2011).

92 million cost

 

Due to several contributing factors, children with obesity have a higher risk of developing the following chronic health conditions:

  • Sleep Apnea
  • Asthma
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Hypertension
  • Bone & Joint problems
  • Social discrimination
  • Emotional & Mental Conditions

 

FAQs About Joining a Clinical Trial

A clinical trial is a research study to test new treatments or interventions.

No, participants are not charged for joining a trial and may receive compensation.

Visit the Pennington Biomedical trials sign up page or call 225-763-3000 for information on current trials and eligibility.

All clinical trials follow strict safety protocols to protect participants. Trials are monitored by ethics review boards to ensure safety and efficacy.

Your child's health information is protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Researchers are required to follow stringent guidelines to keep personal information confidential and secure.

Parents, learn more about clinical trials for you and your children at Pennington Biomedical Research Center's ongoing studies page.

1Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative. 2022 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) data query. Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB). Accessed August 30, 2024. www.childhealthdata.org.
2State of Childhood Obesity. Louisiana: Obesity data for children. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation website. Published 2022. Accessed August 29, 2024. https://stateofchildhoodobesity.org/state-data/?state=la.