Understanding how feeding practices and genetics affect childhood obesity

Characterizing the Relationships of Genetic Risk and Parental Coercive Feeding Practices With Appetitive Traits and Adiposity Gain Across Early Life.

NA · Trustees of Dartmouth College · NCT06534541

This study looks at how different feeding styles and kids' genetics affect the risk of obesity in preschoolers aged 2.5 to 5 years.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment330 (estimated)
Ages27 Months to 72 Months
SexAll
SponsorTrustees of Dartmouth College (other)
Locations1 site (Hanover, New Hampshire)
Trial IDNCT06534541 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This project investigates the relationships between coercive control feeding practices, children's appetitive traits, and dietary intake during preschool years. It aims to understand how these factors contribute to obesity risk by assessing children's genetic predisposition to obesity and their attentional bias to food using eye-tracking technology. The study will follow a cohort of children aged 2.5 years, with repeated assessments every six months until they reach five years old. By examining these interconnections, the research seeks to identify modifiable influences on childhood obesity.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include children aged 2.25 to 2.99 years old with normal vision and their parents who have primary custody and meet specific criteria.

Not a fit: Patients with food allergies, dietary restrictions, or medical conditions affecting appetite or attention may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into effective interventions for preventing childhood obesity by modifying feeding practices.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success in understanding the impact of feeding practices on childhood obesity, but this approach using genetic risk and eye-tracking is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* parent must be ≥18 years old, have primary custody of their child for ≥75% of the month, comprehend verbal and written English and not plan to move out of Vermont or New Hampshire during the study timeframe.
* Children must be ≥2.25 and ≤2.99 years old at first visit and have normal or corrected-to-normal vision to enable eye tracking.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Children with any relevant food allergies or dietary restrictions, taking medication or with a medical condition that affects appetite or attention, or with a relative enrolled in the study will be excluded.

Where this trial is running

Hanover, New Hampshire

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Childhood Obesity

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.