Using technology to understand what influences children's eating habits

Leveraging machine learning and EMA data to identify factors that predict children's energy intake

NIH-funded research Lsu Pennington Biomedical Research Ctr · NIH-11165882

This study is looking at how using technology to collect information in real-time can help us understand what affects how much kids eat, so we can create personalized plans to help them develop healthier eating habits.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionLsu Pennington Biomedical Research Ctr NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baton Rouge, United States)
Project IDNIH-11165882 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how real-time data collection through technology can help identify factors that influence children's energy intake. By utilizing ecological momentary assessment (EMA), the study aims to gather information on various contextual factors such as location, food preparation style, and social influences at the time of eating. Machine learning algorithms will be developed and tested to predict children's eating behaviors based on this data. The goal is to create personalized models that can help modify and improve children's dietary habits.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 8 to 12 years old who are part of the Mothers And Their Children's Health (MATCH) study.

Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 8 to 12 years or those not involved in the MATCH study may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to personalized interventions that help children develop healthier eating habits and reduce obesity rates.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using technology and machine learning to understand dietary behaviors, indicating that this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

Baton Rouge, 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.