Meal Location for Childhood Obesity

(MEAL-TIME Trial)

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Penn State University

Must not be taking: Cold, Allergy, Appetite, others

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Autism, Cancer, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

100 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

Increased availability of high-energy dense foods has contributed to a pediatric obesity epidemic, with 23% of United States children currently presenting with the disease. How children eat contributes to both overconsumption and greater adiposity. However, it is unclear if laboratory measures of children's eating style generalize to the home environment, where children consume two thirds of their total energy. The study will 1) test if child eating styles observed in the lab generalize to more ecologically valid home environments and 2) identify aspects of home food environment that amplify obesogenic eating behaviors. We will assess laboratory and home eating styles (e.g., bite rate) in 100 prepubertal 6-9-year-old children to constrain variability in energy requirements. Children will be video-recorded while consuming identical study-provided meals at home and in the laboratory (counter-balanced order) in addition to a 'typical' meal at home. To study how adiposity relates to "obesogenic" styles of eating, gold standard dual x-ray absorptiometry will be used.

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthy children aged 6-9 who enjoy and are willing to eat the study foods. They should not have learning disabilities like ADHD, be on medications affecting weight, taste, intake, behavior or blood flow.

Inclusion Criteria

My child is healthy and does not have learning disabilities like ADHD.

My child is not on medication that affects weight, taste, eating, behavior, or blood flow.

My child likes and will eat the foods used in the study.

Exclusion Criteria

My child has a learning disability or a neurological condition.

My child has a condition like diabetes, arthritis, or another listed illness.

Children allergic to foods or ingredients used in the study

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Initial assessment of body composition and eating behaviors using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and video coding of meals

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Home and Lab Meal Assessment

Participants consume study-provided meals at home and in the laboratory, with video recording and analysis of eating behaviors

2-3 days

2-3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in eating behaviors and body composition

2 weeks

Remote monitoring

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Meal Location

Trial Overview

The MEAL-TIME study investigates how kids' eating styles at home compare to those in a lab setting. It looks at factors like bite rate during meals provided by the study both at home and in the lab.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Lab then Home Meal Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The participant receives the study meal in the Lab first and then at Hoem

Group II: Home than Lab Meal Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participant is randomly assigned to eat the study meal at home first and then in the lab

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Penn State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

380

Recruited

131,000+