Development of an Eating Behavior Risk Score
Penn State University
Summary
This study will explore how children's eating behaviors are connected to brain activity and body fat levels. Researchers are especially interested in a behavior pattern called the PACE phenotype, which includes how much children eat when offered large portions, how quickly they eat, their appetite traits, and their ability to control eating. The goal is to better understand why some children are more likely to gain weight than others. The study will include children between the ages of 7 and 9 and will follow them for one year. Researchers will use brain scans, lab-based meal observations, and questionnaires to study how children respond to food and how their eating patterns relate to body fat at the start of the study and one year later. The study will also look at how family background, parenting, and other factors might protect some children from gaining excess weight even if they show risky eating behaviors. Results may help identify which children are most at risk for obesity and guide future strategies for prevention.
Description
This is a one-year observational study designed to better understand how certain eating behaviors in children relate to brain function and weight gain over time. These behaviors will be assessed using a combination of laboratory meal tasks, caregiver questionnaires, and behavioral coding. Children will be invited to six research visits-four at the beginning of the study and two 12 months later-during which they will participate in structured meals where portion sizes are adjusted, complete computer-based and paper assessments, and undergo brain imaging while viewing pictures of food. Body comp…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 7–9 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: Children : * Children must be of good health (with the exception of obesity being allowed) based on parental self-report. * Children should have no learning disabilities or developmental delays (e.g., ADHD, Autism, dyslexia) * Children should speak English fluently. * Children should not be on any medications known to influence body weight, taste, food intake, behavior, or blood flow, not be claustrophobic. * Children should between the ages of 7-9 years-old at enrollment. * Children must have a BMI-for-age % \< 85 or ≥ 95 to be enrolled. * The biological mother must have…
Interventions
- BehavioralAssessment of PACE Eating Phenotype and Related Behavioral and Neurobiological Measures
This study does not involve an active intervention. The exposures of interest include the children's eating behaviors as measured by the PACE phenotype score, which encompasses portion size responsiveness, appetite traits, loss of control eating, and eating rate. Brain responses to food cues assessed by fMRI, body composition measured by DXA, and family socioeconomic status will also be evaluated as key exposures. These measures will be collected at baseline and at 12-month follow-up to examine associations with adiposity and behavioral outcomes.
Location
- Metabolic Kitchen and Children's Eating Behavior LabState College, Pennsylvania