– Dr. Leerkes, Department of Human Development and Family Studies
“Once a child becomes overweight or obese, it’s very difficult to reverse that trajectory,” says Jefferson-Pilot Excellence Professor Esther Leerkes. “There’s more attention now on what you can do early in life to prevent weight problems.”
Dr. Leerkes is principal investigator on the $3 million NIH-funded “iGrowUP” study, which is tracking children from ages three through five – a time in their lives when they begin developing independent self-regulatory behaviors.