The goal of this study is to examine the effect of increasing children's intake of fiber and unsaturated fat, through daily servings of hummus and vegetables, on their microbiome profile.
Population: The investigators will recruit 104 children ages 12-24 months from daycare centers in the Houston and surrounding areas. Study design: The study will be conducted at daycare centers and will consist of three phases - a 'lead in period' (two weeks) where baseline measurements will be taken followed by an 'Introductory period' (three weeks) where the new food will be introduced on three days during snack time for three weeks. The introductory phase will be followed by the 'intervention period' (three weeks) where children will receive daily servings of hummus and vegetables. Lead in period (two weeks): Two 24-hour dietary recalls will be conducted on each child (parent-report); one 24-hour dietary recall (over a weekend) will be conducted on each parent (self-report). Three dirty diapers will be collected within the time span of a week for microbiome analysis. Introductory period (three weeks): Since children typically take several introductions of a new food to accept it, and the investigators wish to ensure a high acceptance of hummus, the investigators will spend three weeks introducing the food. The food will be provided on three days during snack time for three weeks. Prior to introducing the food, children will receive a 'lesson' involving information about vegetables using a combination of songs, rhymes and craft activities. Following the lesson, hummus and vegetables will be provided in the hummus group; vegetables only in the control group. Hummus will be provided in a pre-packaged 2 ounce serving cup; vegetables will conform to age-appropriate servings designated by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and will consist of soft vegetables (e.g., winter squash) and lightly steamed, but chilled, hard vegetables (e.g., carrots, broccoli). Intervention period (three weeks): Similar to the introductory period, a serving of either hummus and vegetables or vegetables only will be provided to the children during snack time. The food will be provided daily for three weeks. In the final week of the intervention period, two 24-hour dietary recalls (one weekday and one weekend) will be conducted on the child (parent-report). In addition, one weekend 24-hour dietary recall will be conducted on the parent (self-report). Three dirty diapers will be collected on the child during the final week for microbiome analysis.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
139
During the introductory period, children will receive a lesson about vegetables 3 days a week for 3 weeks.
During the introductory period, children will be served vegetables 3 days a week for 3 weeks during snack time at their daycare center. During the intervention period, children will receive vegetables everyday for 3 weeks during snack time at their daycare center.
During the introductory period, children will be served hummus, depending on their group assignment, 3 days a week for 3 weeks during snack time at their daycare center. During the intervention period, children will receive hummus, depending on their group assignment, everyday for 3 weeks during snack time at their daycare center.
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas, United States
Children's Healthy Eating Index total score
Parent-report of 24-hour dietary recalls of the child's consumption will be used for this measure.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Children's microbiome profile
For this measure stool samples from the children will be collected.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Children's daily consumption of greens and beans
Parent-report of 24-hour dietary recalls of the child's consumption will be used for this measure.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Children's daily consumption of vegetables
Parent-report of 24-hour dietary recalls of the child's consumption will be used for this measure.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Children's daily consumption of unsaturated fats
Parent-report of 24-hour dietary recalls of the child's consumption will be used for this measure.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Parent's Healthy Eating Index total score
Self-report of 24-hour dietary recalls of the parent's consumption will be used for this measure.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Parent's daily consumption of greens and beans
Self-report of 24-hour dietary recalls of the parent's consumption will be used for this measure.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Parent's daily consumption of vegetables
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Self-report of 24-hour dietary recalls of the parent's consumption will be used for this measure.
Time frame: 8 weeks
Parent's daily consumption of unsaturated fats
Self-report of 24-hour dietary recalls of the parent's consumption will be used for this measure.
Time frame: 8 weeks