Understanding how children sense hunger and fullness to improve eating habits
Official title: Interoception and Obesogenic Eating Behaviors in Children
Funded at Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-10986293 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well kids can recognize when they're hungry or full and how that affects what they eat, especially for kids around the age when they start choosing their own food, to see if not being in tune with their bodies might lead to unhealthy eating habits and weight gain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project start | June 14, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $412,171 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA294578-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10986293 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years, particularly those who may struggle with obesity or unhealthy eating behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are outside the age range of 0-11 years or those who do not exhibit issues with obesity or eating behaviors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between children's ability to sense their internal bodily states, such as hunger and fullness, and their eating behaviors. It focuses on preadolescents, a critical age when children start making independent food choices. The study aims to determine if difficulties in sensing these internal signals contribute to unhealthy eating patterns that can lead to obesity. By examining hormonal responses and cognitive interpretations of hunger cues, the research seeks to identify factors that influence eating behaviors in children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to strategies that promote healthier eating habits in children, potentially reducing obesity and associated health risks later in life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have indicated that understanding interoception can influence eating behaviors, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights, although the specific focus on children and obesity is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Pennsylvania State University, the
University Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hohman, Emily Erin — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Hohman, Emily Erin
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.