Genetic Predisposition to Food Cue Reactivity in Children

Trustees of Dartmouth College

Status: Completed

Conditions: Childhood Obesity

Treatments: Behavioral: Food Ads; Other: Non-food Ads

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT03766191

1R01HD092604 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

D19064

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study assesses the associations between genetic factors, food-cue-related neural reactivity, self-regulatory capacity, eating in the absence of hunger (EAH), and adiposity gain in children.

Full description

The investigators will assess the associations between genetic factors, food-cue-related neural reactivity, eating in the absence of hunger (EAH) in response to food cues, and adiposity gain in children. They will also determine whether self-regulatory capacity modifies these associations. The genetic factors explored specifically include FTO, MC4R, polymorphisms in genes involved in dopaminergic pathways, and a composite genetic risk score built from genome-wide obesity-related loci.

[3/14/2020]: Study recruitment temporarily halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Enrollment: 189 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 8 to 12 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• English fluency
• Willingness to participate in all study visits

Exclusion criteria

• Relevant food allergies or dietary restrictions
• Metal in or on the body
• Claustrophobia
• Psychiatric and neurological disorders
• Relative in the study
• Appetite- or attention-altering medications or disorders

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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189 participants in 4 patient groups

Food Ads and fMRI

Active Comparator group

Description:

Exposure to food ads during an fMRI scan

Treatment:

Behavioral: Food Ads

Non-Food Ads and fMRI

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Exposure to non-food ads during an fMRI scan

Treatment:

Other: Non-food Ads

Food Ads and TV show

Active Comparator group

Description:

Exposure to food ads embedded in an age-appropriate TV program

Treatment:

Behavioral: Food Ads

Non-Food Ads and TV show

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Exposure to non-food ads embedded in an age-appropriate TV program

Treatment:

Other: Non-food Ads