Mediterranean Diet for Toddler Health
(MUNCHIES Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to determine if following a Mediterranean diet for three weeks can improve gut health, reduce dietary inflammation, and positively impact body composition in toddlers. Researchers seek to understand whether early dietary changes can shape better long-term eating habits and health outcomes. Toddlers will either follow a Mediterranean diet with meal boxes and guidance (Mediterranean Diet Nutrition Program) or continue their usual diet with general nutrition advice (Standard Diet Education Program). Ideal candidates are toddlers aged 2-3 whose parents can commit to the diet and educational program, without dietary restrictions or recent antibiotic use. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for parents to contribute to understanding the potential long-term health benefits of early dietary interventions.
Do I have to stop my toddler's current medications for the trial?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop your toddler's current medications, but it does exclude toddlers who have recently taken antibiotics, probiotics, or prebiotic drops.
What prior data suggests that the Mediterranean Diet Nutrition Program is safe for toddlers?
Research shows that the Mediterranean diet is generally safe for children. Studies have found that children on this diet often experience better health, including less inflammation and improved gut health.
While few studies focus specifically on toddlers, the Mediterranean diet's emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats is widely regarded as healthy. This study does not test a new drug or chemical; it aims to understand the effects of a well-known diet.
Since toddlers will consume regular foods, there are no major safety concerns. However, parents should ensure their children are not allergic to any foods in the diet. Overall, the Mediterranean diet is well-tolerated and linked to various health benefits in children.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the Mediterranean Diet Nutrition Program for toddlers because it offers a holistic and culturally rich approach to nutrition that could foster healthier eating habits from a young age. Unlike typical dietary guidelines that focus on basic nutritional needs, this program emphasizes a variety of nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, which are staples of the Mediterranean diet. Additionally, the program includes hands-on meal preparation sessions for families, which can strengthen adherence and provide practical skills for maintaining a balanced diet. This approach not only aims to improve immediate health markers like weight and body composition but also instills lifelong healthy eating behaviors.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for toddler health?
This trial will compare the effects of a Mediterranean Diet Nutrition Program with a Standard Diet Education Program for toddlers. Research has shown that the Mediterranean diet benefits children's health. Studies have found that it helps prevent obesity and heart problems and lowers the risk of diabetes. This diet encourages eating more fruits and vegetables, supporting healthy growth and development in kids. Additionally, when families follow this diet, children are more likely to maintain a healthy weight. Overall, the Mediterranean diet promotes better eating habits from a young age.36789
Who Is on the Research Team?
Dr. Maryam Kebbe, PhD, CLC
Principal Investigator
University of New Brunswick
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
The MUNCHIES study is for toddlers aged 2-3 whose parents are over 19, can communicate in English, and agree to follow a Mediterranean diet for their child. Eligible toddlers must have been born full-term with normal birth weight and can be delivered naturally or via C-section. Parents should commit to a nutrition program and provide necessary measurements and samples.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Toddlers are assigned to either a Mediterranean diet or their usual diet for 3 weeks. The MED diet group receives free meal boxes and nutrition education.
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for dietary adherence, gut microbiome changes, and body composition at 3 weeks and 3 months post-baseline.
Nutrition Education Program
Families participate in a tailored nutrition education program to promote adherence to the prescribed diets.
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Mediterranean Diet Nutrition Program
- Standard Diet Education Program
Trial Overview
This trial tests if a Mediterranean Diet improves toddler health compared to usual diets. Toddlers will either receive the special diet with meal boxes and education for parents or continue regular eating habits with basic nutrition advice. The impact on gut health, inflammation, body composition, and long-term dietary patterns will be studied.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Toddlers in this group will follow a Mediterranean-style diet for nine weeks. Families will receive Mediterranean diet foods for three weeks and take part in nine weekly sessions (one overview and eight follow-up sessions) focused on preparing toddler-appropriate Mediterranean meals. The sessions are designed to support consistency in feeding, track progress, and provide guidance on diet adherence. Measurements of toddler height, weight, body composition (BOD POD), stool samples, and questionnaires will be collected at baseline, 3 weeks, and 3 months post-baseline.
Toddlers in this group will continue their usual diets for nine weeks while families participate in nine weekly general nutrition education sessions. Measurements of toddler height, weight, body composition (BODPOD), stool samples, and questionnaires will occur at the same time points as the intervention group. Families in this group will receive a $100 honorarium.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of New Brunswick
Lead Sponsor
Citations
A New Mediterranean Lifestyle Pyramid for Children and ...
Adopting healthy dietary patterns can help curb childhood obesity, a worrisome epidemic problem at present. In the era of personalized nutrition, dietary ...
Mediterranean Diet in Developmental Age: A Narrative ...
Numerous studies in recent decades have shown that Mediterranean diet (MD) can reduce the risk of developing obesity in pediatric patients.
Effectiveness of an Intervention Programme on Adherence to ...
In children, it has positive effects in the prevention of obesity and cardiovascular diseases, as well as in the prevention of diabetes. We ...
Is the Mediterranean diet healthy for kids?
"It encourages positive changes, like eating more fruits and vegetables. This approach to eating can help children grow and meet their ...
The Role of Parental Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet ...
For instance, promoting adherence to the Mediterranean diet among families with school-aged children can contribute to children's healthier weight status.
Mediterranean Diet Uptake and Nutrition on Child Health ...
This study will test whether a MED diet can improve dietary inflammation, gut health, and body composition in toddlers and whether a tailored ...
Childhood Mediterranean Diet Compliance Is Associated with ...
This study reported that only 4.3% of the children attained an optimal KIDMED score. Children with higher KIDMED scores reported healthier ...
The Diet of Preschool Children in the Mediterranean ...
This systematic review discusses data on the dietary intake of preschool children living in the Mediterranean countries of the European Union.
9.
frontiersin.org
frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1329090/fullDeterminants of the adherence to Mediterranean diet
The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, BMI (kg/m 2 ), and age ...
Unbiased Results
We believe in providing patients with all the options.
Your Data Stays Your Data
We only share your information with the clinical trials you're trying to access.
Verified Trials Only
All of our trials are run by licensed doctors, researchers, and healthcare companies.