Understanding why some children don't overeat when exposed to food ads

Characterizing resilience to food-cue induced overeating in children

NIH-funded research Pennsylvania State University, the · NIH-10832028

This study is looking at why some kids don’t overeat when they see food ads, which is important for helping prevent childhood obesity, and it will involve 140 healthy kids aged 7-8 to see how their brains and behaviors react to food cues.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (University Park, United States)
Project IDNIH-10832028 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates why certain children are less likely to overeat in response to food advertisements, which is crucial for addressing childhood obesity. By examining neural, cognitive, and behavioral traits, the study aims to identify characteristics that protect these children from overeating. The research will involve enrolling 140 healthy-weight children aged 7-8, split between those at low and high risk for obesity, to explore how their brain activity and behaviors differ when exposed to food cues. The findings could lead to new strategies for preventing obesity in children.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are healthy-weight children aged 7-8 years, particularly those with varying risks for obesity based on their parents' weight status.

Not a fit: Children who are already overweight or obese may not benefit directly from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective interventions that help prevent childhood obesity by promoting resilience to food advertising.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding the cognitive and neural mechanisms behind eating behaviors can lead to successful obesity prevention strategies.

Where this research is happening

University Park, 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.