Snacking for Energy Intake in Preschoolers

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Disqualifiers: Food allergies, Spoon use, Attendance, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 3 weeks

20 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants must stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment 'No Snacking, Snacking' for energy intake in preschoolers?

Research suggests that snacks can contribute significantly to children's energy intake, with healthy snacks improving dietary adequacy. However, the impact on weight status is unclear, and the quality of snacks is crucial for positive outcomes. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is snacking safe for preschool-aged children?

The research does not provide specific safety data on snacking for preschool-aged children, but it highlights concerns about overconsumption of unhealthy nutrients like solid fats and added sugars. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

How does the 'No Snacking' and 'Snacking' treatment for energy intake in preschoolers differ from other treatments?

This treatment is unique because it focuses on the timing and frequency of eating, specifically snacking, to manage energy intake in preschoolers, rather than using medications or supplements. It explores how different snacking habits can impact diet quality and energy balance, which is not typically addressed by standard treatments. ^{1 4 6 7 10}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this pilot study will be to examine the influence of providing snacks on consumption of overall energy intake in children aged 2-5 years in the Early Learning Center (ELC) at the University of Tennessee.

Research Team

Hollie A Raynor, PhD, RD, LDN

Principal Investigator

University of Tennesseem Knoxville

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for preschoolers aged 3 to 5 who are enrolled in the full day program at the Early Learning Center, University of Tennessee. They must have their guardian's consent and should like the foods served.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 3 and 5 years old.

have guardian consent to participate

like the foods served

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Children are provided with 3-to-5 ad libitum eating occasions over the course of a day for three sessions, testing different meal and snack combinations

3 weeks

3 sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

1 week

Treatment Details

Interventions

• No Snacking
• Snacking

Trial Overview The study is looking into how giving snacks affects overall energy intake in young children. It compares two groups: one that receives snacks and another that does not, to see if snacking influences calorie consumption.

Participant Groups

Group I: Three Meals (TM) Active Control 1 Intervention

Preschoolers will be provided their caloric needs within three meals.

Group II: Meal plus Snack (M+S) Active Control 1 Intervention

Preschoolers will be provided three meals and two snacks, with total amount of food provided in the day the same as the Three Meal (TM) arm.

Group III: Three Meal plus Snack (TM+S) Active Control 1 Intervention

Preschoolers will be provided three meals and two snacks with total amount provided in the meals equal to the Three Meal (TM) arm and total amount provided in the snacks equal to Meal plus Snacks (M+S) arm.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Lead Sponsor

Trials

93

Recruited

19,500+

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Association of Snacking Frequency, Size, and Energy Density with Weight Status among Preschool-Aged Children in the United States. [2023]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"What do you think of when I say the word 'snack'?" Towards a cohesive definition among low-income caregivers of preschool-age children. [2020]

3. Denmark pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sweets, snacking habits, and skipping meals in children and adolescents on intensive insulin treatment. [2022]

4. South Africa pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The snacking habits of white preschool children. [2022]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploratory Analysis of Nutritional Quality and Metrics of Snack Consumption among Nepali Children during the Complementary Feeding Period. [2020]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Occasions, purposes, and contexts for offering snacks to preschool-aged children: Schemas of caregivers with low-income backgrounds. [2022]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Interrelationships of child appetite, weight and snacking among Hispanic preschoolers. [2021]

8. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cross-sectional analysis of eating patterns and snacking in the US Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study 2008. [2023]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

"Snacks are not food". Low-income, urban mothers' perceptions of feeding snacks to their preschool-aged children. [2014]

10. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Daily Snacking Occasions, Snack Size, and Snack Energy Density as Predictors of Diet Quality among US Children Aged 2 to 5 Years. [2020]