Genetic Risk, Parental Feeding Practices, and Appetitive Traits in Early Life

Launched by TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE · Jul 30, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, titled "Genetic Risk, Parental Feeding Practices, and Appetitive Traits in Early Life," is studying how certain feeding practices by parents can influence the eating behaviors and weight gain of young children, especially those at higher genetic risk for obesity. Researchers want to understand if controlling a child’s food intake, such as limiting certain foods or using food to comfort them, might lead to overeating and weight gain in preschoolers aged 2.5 to 3 years. By looking at these relationships over time, the study aims to find ways to help parents support healthier eating habits in their children.

To participate, parents must be at least 18 years old, have primary custody of their child, and live in Vermont or New Hampshire. Their child should be between 2 years and 11 months and 2 years and 11 months old at the start of the study. Participants will be involved in assessments every six months until their child is 5 years old. The findings could help develop tailored strategies for parents to promote healthy eating behaviors in young children, taking into account their genetic predispositions to obesity.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • parent must be ≥18 years old, have primary custody of their child for ≥75% of the month, comprehend verbal and written English and not plan to move out of Vermont or New Hampshire during the study timeframe.
• • Children must be ≥2.25 and ≤2.99 years old at first visit and have normal or corrected-to-normal vision to enable eye tracking.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Children with any relevant food allergies or dietary restrictions, taking medication or with a medical condition that affects appetite or attention, or with a relative enrolled in the study will be excluded.