Understanding how preschoolers control their appetite

Characterizing top-down dimensions of appetite self-regulation among preschoolers

NIH-funded research Temple Univ of the Commonwealth · NIH-10844397

This study is looking at how young kids think about their eating habits to help them make healthier food choices, and it’s for preschoolers who want to learn how to eat in a balanced way.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionTemple Univ of the Commonwealth NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-10844397 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how preschool-aged children use cognitive processes to regulate their eating behaviors and make healthy food choices. By focusing on the 'top-down' mechanisms of appetite self-regulation, the study aims to identify the cognitive developmental factors that influence children's ability to eat in moderation. The research will involve developing new measures to assess these cognitive processes and will include participation from 150 preschoolers to gather comprehensive data. The findings could provide insights into effective strategies for promoting healthy eating habits in early childhood.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation are preschool-aged children, particularly those between the ages of 3 to 5 years.

Not a fit: Children outside the preschool age range or those with significant cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing obesity in preschoolers by fostering healthier eating habits.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cognitive influences on eating behaviors in children, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.