Breakfast Composition for Cognitive Function in Children

Overseen By Audrey Martinez, MS, RD, LD

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute

Must not be taking: Any medications

Disqualifiers: Chronic illness, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 9-10 years

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how different types of breakfast shakes might affect brain function in children. It involves two types of shakes: one high in carbs and low in protein, and another high in protein and low in carbs. The aim is to observe how these meals influence cognitive functions such as memory and attention. Children aged 9–10 years, in grades 3 to 5, and who are obese might be suitable for this study, especially if they regularly eat breakfast. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding how nutrition impacts children's cognitive health.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial excludes children who are taking medications, so participants cannot be on any medications to join this study.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that both types of breakfast shakes in this study—one with more carbs and less protein, and the other with more protein and fewer carbs—are safe for children. Studies have found that having breakfast can improve thinking skills, such as memory and focus.

For the shake with more carbs and less protein, no specific evidence indicates negative effects. The main interest lies in how different breakfasts can enhance cognitive function in children.

The shake with more protein and fewer carbs has also undergone study. Reviews suggest these breakfasts can aid in energy and hunger control without any unsafe effects.

While detailed safety data for each shake isn't provided, these types of breakfasts are generally well-tolerated by children. Always consult a healthcare provider before trying something new. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial's treatments?

Researchers are excited about these breakfast treatments for cognitive function in kids because they're exploring how different nutritional compositions can impact brain performance. Unlike typical breakfasts that might not focus specifically on nutrient balance, these experimental shakes are designed to either be high in carbohydrates or high in protein, offering a unique approach to studying how macronutrients affect cognition. This trial aims to uncover if one type of breakfast could enhance mental sharpness more effectively than traditional options like cereal or eggs. It's an exciting investigation into how what kids eat in the morning could potentially boost their brain power throughout the day.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for cognitive function in children?

This trial will compare the effects of different breakfast compositions on cognitive function in children. Research has suggested that a breakfast high in carbohydrates and low in protein can improve memory, focus, and problem-solving skills, especially in children lacking sufficient nutrients. These benefits are noticeable in the morning after eating. In this trial, one group of participants will receive a high carbohydrate/low protein breakfast shake. Another group will receive a high protein/low carbohydrate breakfast shake, which may enhance focus more than a high carbohydrate breakfast. Both types of breakfasts can enhance thinking skills, but the effects vary depending on the breakfast composition. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Linda Larson-Prior, PhD

Principal Investigator

Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for right-handed children aged 9-10 in grades 3 to 5, who are obese and typically eat breakfast. They must be able to hear well, have decent vision (at least 20/40), and their biological mother must attend the visit. Children with an IQ below 80 or those on medication for chronic illnesses cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 9 and 10 years old, in grades 3 to 5.

I can hear sounds as quiet as 20 decibels.

Biological mother available to attend visit

Exclusion Criteria

My child is on medication or has a chronic illness.

Full scale IQ <80

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either a high carbohydrate/low protein or high protein/low carbohydrate breakfast shake

9-10 years

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• High carbohydrate/low protein
• High protein/low carbohydrate

Trial Overview The study examines how a child's morning meal composition—specifically high carbohydrate/low protein versus high protein/low carbohydrate—affects cognitive function.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: High protein/low carbohydrate Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A breakfast shake will be made with high protein/low carbohydrate mixture.

Group II: High carbohydrate/low protein Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

A breakfast shake will be made with high carbohydrate/low protein mixture.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

141

Recruited

5,025,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4863264/

The Effects of Breakfast and Breakfast Composition on ... The findings suggest that breakfast consumption relative to fasting has a short-term (same morning) positive domain-specific effect on cognition.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3737458/

The effects of breakfast on behavior and academic ... Breakfast has been suggested to positively affect learning in children in terms of behavior, cognitive, and school performance.

3. advances.nutrition.org advances.nutrition.org/article/S2161-8313(22)00747-5/pdf

The Effects of Breakfast and Breakfast Composition on ... Breakfast has a short-term positive effect on cognition, especially attention, executive function, and memory, more so in undernourished children.

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2161831323002387

Methodological Challenges in Studies Examining the ... The effects of breakfast consumption on cognitive function can be acute or chronic. For example, consumption of breakfast may facilitate cognitive performance ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916523047160

The effect of breakfast composition and energy contribution ... Moreover, as compared with a high-GI breakfast, a low-GI breakfast significantly improved short-term memory, among girls only, in the backward digit span task, ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8073030/

Breakfast: A Crucial Meal for Adolescents' Cognitive ... Having a regular breakfast and improving its quality could enhance children's cognitive performance [11,12] through enhanced episodic and visual ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014976342200313X

The impact of glycaemic load on cognitive performance The authors concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support an effect of breakfast GL on cognitive performance in children, adolescents, and adults.

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5241917/

The effects of breakfast on short-term cognitive function ... Another study has revealed that skipping breakfast or eating a low-quality breakfast have a negative effect on cognitive function [8], thus ...

9. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/6/2080

Breakfast Consumption Habits at Age 6 and Cognitive ... Children who reported moderate breakfast consumption showed significantly higher verbal IQ scores (5.307 ± SE; p = 0.092) and academic ...