Understanding how children's thinking affects their eating habits
Characterizing Top-down Dimensions of Appetite Self-regulation Among Preschoolers
This study is testing how young children's thinking affects their eating habits to help find ways to prevent obesity in early childhood.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 125 (estimated) |
| Ages | 4 Years to 6 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Temple University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT06108128 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This investigation explores the cognitive-developmental processes that influence preschoolers' ability to self-regulate their appetite and make healthy food choices. By adapting existing measures of executive functioning, the study aims to create new assessments specifically focused on eating behaviors. The research will involve 125 preschoolers and their primary caregivers, examining the relationship between cognitive processes, eating behaviors, and body mass index. The goal is to provide insights that could inform obesity prevention strategies in early childhood.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are preschoolers aged 4 to 6 years who have a primary caregiver responsible for their feeding.
Not a fit: Patients who may not benefit from this study include those with major food allergies, developmental disabilities, or other medical conditions affecting food intake.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved strategies for helping children develop healthier eating habits and prevent obesity.
How similar studies have performed: While research on appetite self-regulation exists, this study's focus on cognitive-developmental influences is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Child ages 4 to 6 years of age 2. Caregiver reporting primary responsibility for child feeding outside of childcare 3. Caregiver legal guardian Exclusion Criteria: 1. Caregiver \<18 years of age 2. Child major food allergies 3. Child medication use, developmental disability, or medical conditions known to affect food intake and/or growth; color blindness 4. Child in foster care
Where this trial is running
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Temple University — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jennifer O Fisher, PHD — Temple University
- Study coordinator: Christina Croce, MS
- Email: christina.croce@temple.edu
- Phone: 215-707-8672
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.