Genetic Predisposition to Food Cue Reactivity in Children

Trustees of Dartmouth College189 enrolled

Overview

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.

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

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

189

Conditions

Childhood Obesity

Interventions

Food AdsBEHAVIORAL

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

Non-food AdsOTHER

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

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 8 YearsMax age: 12 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

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

Locations (1)

Dartmouth-Hitchcock

Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Food-cue-related neural activity

Activation in brain reward regions in response to food vs. non-food cues, as measured by differences in the blood-oxygen-level dependent response during fMRI scans. Investigators will examine associations between polymorphisms in FTO, MC4R, as well as a genetic risk score with the differential neural activity.

Time frame: Baseline

Food-cue-related Eating in the Absence of Hunger (EAH)

Difference in kcals consumed in response to food vs. non-food cue exposure in the behavioral sessions. Investigators will examine how differential neural activity in response to food vs. non-food cues will relate to EAH. Investigators will also assess whether self-regulatory capacity diminishes this association between differential neural activity and EAH.

Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks

Change in BMI

Difference between BMI z-score according to the Center for DiseaSe Control 2000 Growth Reference Curves assessed at baseline and follow-up. Investigators will assess the associations between genetic factors (polymorphisms in FTO, MC4R; and a genetic obesity risk score), food-cue-related neural activity and EAH with change in BMI.

Time frame: Baseline, 1-year followup

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.