How early nutrition affects children's social-emotional development in Ghana
Neural mechanisms of protective effects of early nutrition on the development of social-emotional difficulties among children in Ghana
This study is looking at how the nutrition that mothers get during pregnancy and shortly after can affect their children's social and emotional growth as they grow up, focusing on kids in Ghana who are between 8 and 12 years old.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10670153 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of early nutrition on the social-emotional development of children in Ghana. It follows children aged 8-12 years whose mothers received lipid-based nutrient supplements during pregnancy and early postpartum, comparing their outcomes to those whose mothers received standard micronutrient capsules. The study aims to understand how early nutrition influences brain development and social-emotional skills, particularly in challenging environments. By utilizing neurobehavioral assessments and neuroimaging techniques, the research seeks to uncover the underlying neural mechanisms involved.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 8-12 years in Ghana who were part of the original study on maternal nutrition.
Not a fit: Children who did not participate in the original maternal nutrition study or those outside the specified age range may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved nutritional programs that enhance children's emotional and social development, particularly in low-resource settings.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results regarding the benefits of early nutrition on child development, suggesting that this approach is grounded in established findings.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hastings, Paul David — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Hastings, Paul David
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.