Protein Requirements for Active Children

(ChiPP Trial)

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: Protein metabolism drugs

Disqualifiers: Weight loss, Phenylketonuria, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 9

30 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if active children need more protein than currently recommended. Researchers seek physically active children with normal weight. Ideal participants are aged 8-10, can pause nutritional supplements, and have had no recent infections. The study will help update protein guidelines for moderately or highly active children. As an unphased trial, it offers participants the opportunity to contribute to important nutritional research that could benefit active children worldwide.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires participants to stop taking nutritional supplements for at least 2 weeks before each study visit. If you are taking medications that affect protein metabolism, you may not be eligible to participate.

What prior data suggests that this technique is safe for children?

Research has shown that current protein recommendations for children might be too low, particularly for those who are very active. Studies have found that protein needs can vary, with some suggesting children may require between 0.93 to 1.55 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight each day.

This research is safe because it involves adjusting dietary protein, a normal part of daily nutrition. No reports of serious side effects have emerged when protein intake remains within these studied amounts. Like adults, children need protein to grow and stay healthy. The trial aims to determine the optimal protein amount for physically active children. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it aims to clarify the protein requirements for active children, which could reshape how we approach nutrition in this age group. Unlike traditional guidelines that provide general protein recommendations for all children, this study focuses specifically on the needs of active children, who may have different nutritional requirements due to their higher levels of physical activity. By understanding these unique needs, the trial could lead to more tailored dietary recommendations that optimize growth, health, and performance in active young people. This could ultimately lead to more personalized nutrition plans that better support the energy and recovery demands of active lifestyles in children.

What evidence suggests that this method is effective for determining protein requirements in active children?

Research has shown that active children might require more protein than current guidelines suggest. Recent studies have found that their protein needs could be up to 60% higher than currently recommended. Specifically, one study suggested that active children might need about 1.55 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight each day. This amount supports their growth and energy needs. These findings highlight the importance of re-evaluating protein intake recommendations for active children to ensure they receive enough to support their active lifestyles and development. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy boys and girls aged 8-10 who were part of a previous study (MI Energy). They should be normal weight, not taking supplements, free from infections, and classified as either sedentary or active based on fitness tests. All races and ethnicities are welcome.

Inclusion Criteria

My child does not currently have a viral infection like the flu or cold.

People of all ethnic backgrounds are eligible to participate.

People of all different ethnic backgrounds can participate.

Exclusion Criteria

I am on medication that affects how my body processes proteins.

I have lost more than 3 kg in the past 6 months.

Participants whose parents report any change in medical history that may potentially affect participation and/or study outcomes as determined by PI

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person or remote)

Assent/Consent and Run-in

Children and parents attend an assent/consent visit, followed by a 2-day run-in diet to ensure specific protein and energy intakes

2 days

1 visit (in-person or remote)

Testing

Participants undergo 7 testing days with different protein dosages, including breath and urine sample collection for phenylalanine oxidation measurement

7 days

7 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the testing phase

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Protein Requirements for Active Children

Trial Overview The study aims to determine if physically fit and active children have higher protein needs than currently recommended. Researchers will use the indicator amino acid oxidation technique to assess protein requirements in these children.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

141

Recruited

5,025,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Current protein intake recommendations for young children are based on limited data and are estimates, with adequate intakes ranging from 0.6 to 2.9 g/kg, highlighting the need for more precise research.

Further studies using stable isotope methodology alongside traditional nitrogen balance protocols are necessary to better understand protein utilization and needs in growing children, as well as the impact of different protein sources on their diets.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Optimal quantity and composition of protein for growing children. Rodriguez, NR.[2019]

Current Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) for protein in children and youth are outdated and need revision, as they do not consider the effects of physical activity and lack an upper limit for protein intake.

New research is necessary to determine accurate protein requirements for children and youth, especially for those who are physically active, to ensure their dietary needs are met without risking adverse effects from high protein consumption.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protein Needs of Physically Active Children. Volterman, KA., Atkinson, SA.[2018]

Children with mild to moderate renal insufficiency may benefit from a low protein diet (LPD) to potentially delay the progression of kidney issues, similar to findings in adults and laboratory animals.

A carefully planned LPD can safely reduce protein intake to the recommended daily allowance for children, provided there is extensive counseling, dietary supplements, and ongoing nutritional monitoring to ensure their growth and health needs are met.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An approach to protein restriction in children with renal insufficiency. Raymond, NG., Dwyer, JT., Nevins, P., et al.[2019]

Recent research suggests that the protein requirements for children may be up to 60% higher than current estimates based on the nitrogen balance technique, which may underestimate their needs.

Children who are more physically active have increased protein requirements to support muscle growth and adaptations, highlighting the need for updated guidelines that consider activity levels.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary Protein Requirements in Children: Methods for Consideration. Hudson, JL., Baum, JI., Diaz, EC., et al.[2021]

In children recovering from protein-energy malnutrition, physical activity significantly enhances growth and lean body mass, highlighting the importance of both nutrition and activity for optimal development.

The study found that the essential amino acid requirements for 2-year-old children are lower than the current recommendations by FAO-WHO, suggesting a need to reassess dietary guidelines for young children.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

INCAP studies of energy, amino acids, and protein. Viteri, FE.[2017]

A meta-analysis of various studies has established new average protein requirements for children, ranging from 1.12 g/kg/day at 6 months to 0.74 g/kg/day at 10 years, based on maintenance needs and growth efficiency.

The safe level of protein intake, which ensures the needs of nearly all children in these age groups, is set at 1.43 g/kg/day for infants at 6 months and 0.91 g/kg/day for children at 10 years.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protein requirements of infants and children. Garlick, PJ.[2013]

Children have higher protein needs than adults to support their growth, and these requirements are expressed as average dietary reference intakes that meet the needs of 97.5% of the population.

Critically ill children require even more protein due to increased protein turnover, and studies suggest that higher protein intake via enteral feeding can improve survival rates and clinical outcomes in these patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protein Requirements of the Critically Ill Pediatric Patient. Coss-Bu, JA., Hamilton-Reeves, J., Patel, JJ., et al.[2017]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8147948/

Dietary Protein Requirements in Children: Methods for ... Indeed, recent advances in stable isotope techniques suggests protein requirement as much as 60% higher than current recommendations.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10097334/

Optimal Protein Intake in Healthy Children and Adolescents This narrative review aimed to revise the available evidence on the long-term effects of protein intake in children and adolescents aged 4–18 years.

3. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/274004/protein-requirements-for-active-children/

Protein Requirements for Active Children Hypothesis: Daily dietary protein requirements are greater in children with high level of physical activity vs. sedentary children.

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916523025145

Protein requirement of healthy school-age children ... The results from the current study suggest that an RDA of 1.55 g protein · kg−1 · d−1, which corresponds to 8.7% of energy intake from protein for a 26-kg child ...

5. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/16/2803

Nutrition for Children and Adolescents Who Practice Sport Protein requirements in children are higher than in adults to support growth and physical development, since they are essential for the cellular ...

6. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/5/1554

Dietary Protein Requirements in Children: Methods for ... The current protein recommendations in boys and girls < 19 years ranges from 0.85 to 1.2 g·kg−1·day−1 (Table 1) based on age group [1]. These ...

7. mayoclinic.org mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/nutrition-for-kids/art-20049335

Nutrition for kids: Guidelines for a healthy diet Introduction ; Calories, 1,200 to 2,000, depending on growth and activity level ; Protein, 3 to 5.5 ounces ; Fruits, 1 to 2 cups ; Vegetables, 1.5 to 2.5 cups.