The Development of Reward Response to Food in Infancy

University of Michigan

Status: Completed

Conditions: Eating Behavior

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04114123

HUM00164906

Details and patient eligibility

About

In this study the researchers want to learn more about reward-driven eating behavior in children ages 2 to 18 months. The researchers hope to use this knowledge to help inform obesity prevention programs.

Full description

The study will comprise two arms and each arm has a different time perspective. The longitudinal arm is prospective in nature and the cross-sectional arm has a cross-sectional time perspective. The video observation is completed at a single time point (although standardized by inclusion criteria).

Enrollment: 1,166 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

For the Longitudinal Arm:

Inclusion Criteria

• Baby is alive

• Baby is 6 to 16 weeks old at time of enrollment

• Baby and mother receive care at Michigan Medicine, and specifically:

  • Baby was born at Michigan medicine
  • Baby has had a 2 month well child check
  • Mother received prenatal care at Michigan Medicine
  • Mother has a linked patient profile to baby's profile
  • Baby has a length and weight measurement on record

• Mother is English speaking

Exclusion Criteria

• Baby is a foster child
• Baby was still in hospital 4 days after birth
• Baby has severe perinatal or neonatal medical problems
• Baby has severe developmental delays
• Multiple births

For the Cross Sectional:

Inclusion Criteria

• Enrolled in longitudinal arm of study
• Eligible to complete all three protocols (Two Oatmeal and Reaching) as per protocol screeners
• Baby is alive
• Baby is 5 to 7 months old at the time of enrollment
• Mother is biological mother
• Mother is legal guardian
• Mother is English speaking

Exclusion Criteria

• Baby had severe perinatal or neonatal medical problems
• Baby currently has severe medical problems
• Baby has severe developmental delays
• Mom had severe complications during pregnancy
• Multiple Births
• Food allergies

Trial design

1,166 participants in 2 patient groups

Longitudinal

Description:

The researchers will be evaluating baseline indicators of wanting salience and liking between 2 and 6 month olds, with the goal of following up with these families at 24 months and beyond by reviewing the dyads' medical charts. The researchers will also examine direct and indirect associations between reward-driven eating, and maternal and infant characteristics and infant weight-for-length.

Cross-sectional

Description:

The researchers will as the mother to answer questionnaires and participate in up to two video taped behavioral protocols when the infant is 6 months old.