Understanding how some children resist the effects of food advertising

Characterizing Resilience to Food-cue Induced Overeating in Children

This study looks at why some kids aged 7-9 are better at ignoring food ads and how that might help prevent obesity.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 200 (estimated)
• Ages: 7 Years to 9 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Penn State University (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (University Park, Pennsylvania)
• Trial ID: NCT05073185 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to explore why certain children are less affected by food marketing and its link to obesity. By following 100 healthy-weight children aged 7-9 years, the researchers will assess their neural, cognitive, and behavioral responses to food advertisements over one year. The study will focus on identifying traits that contribute to resilience against overeating, particularly in children at risk for obesity due to familial factors. The findings could inform tailored obesity prevention strategies.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy children aged 7-9 years with no learning disabilities and whose parents meet specific BMI criteria.

Not a fit: Children with existing health issues, learning disabilities, or those taking medications affecting weight or behavior may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to personalized interventions that help children resist unhealthy eating behaviors influenced by food marketing.

How similar studies have performed: While there is preliminary research on food marketing effects, this study's specific focus on resilience traits is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Child Inclusion Criteria:

1. In order to be enrolled, children must be of good health based on parental self-report.
2. Have no learning disabilities (e.g., ADHD).
3. Have no allergies to the foods or ingredients used in the study.
4. Not be claustrophobic.
5. Not be taking any medications known to influence body weight, taste, food intake, behavior, or blood flow.
6. Be 7-9 years-old at enrollment.
7. The child must speak English.

Parent Inclusion Criteria:

1. The parent who has the most knowledge of the child's eating behavior, media access, sleep and behavior must be available to attend the visits with their child. This would be decided among the parents.
2. The biological mother must have a body mass index either between 18.5 - 25 kg/m2 (low-risk group) or greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (high-risk group). One parent can report on both parents' BW and height.

Exclusion Criteria:

Children would be excluded if:

1. They are not within the age requirements (\< than 7 years old or \> than 9 years-old at baseline).
2. If they are taking cold or allergy medication, or other medications known to influence cognitive function, taste, appetite, or blood flow.
3. If they don't speak English.
4. If they are colorblind
5. If they report being claustrophobic.
6. if they have a learning disability, ADD/ADHD, language delays, autism or other neurological or psychological conditions.
7. if they have a pre-existing medical condition such as type I or type II diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Cushing's syndrome, Down's syndrome, food allergies, severe lactose intolerance, Prader-Willi syndrome, HIV, cancer, renal failure, or cerebral palsy.
8. if they are allergic to foods or ingredients used in the study.
9. if they have tattoos, permanent makeup, dental ware, pacemakers, or metal implants that would preclude safe completion of the MRI.
10. if the child has had an X-ray in the month prior to Visits 1 and 6. If so, they will be scheduled at a later date.

Parent Exclusion Criteria:

1. if the biological mother has a body mass index \< 18.5 kg/m2
2. if the mother is between 25-30 kg/m2.
3. if the parent is unable to attend the study visits
4. if the family reports plans to move away from the area in the next year.

Where this trial is running

University Park, Pennsylvania

• The Pennsylvania State University — University Park, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Kathleen L Keller, Ph.D. — Penn State University
• Study coordinator: Kyle M Hallisky, B.S.

Conditions Obesity, Childhood; Obesity; food-cue reactivity; functional magnetic resonance imaging; eating behaviors; food marketing; food advertisement