Eating Behavior in Children
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Food Studies |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Pharmacology / Toxicology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 8 - 17 |
| Updated: | 4/6/2019 |
| Start Date: | November 26, 2003 |
| End Date: | October 28, 2014 |
This study will explore the eating habits of children and determine if eating behavior is
linked to genetics.
Children between 8 and 17 years of age may be eligible for this study. It will include
children who have experienced loss of control over eating, children who report overeating
without loss of control, and children who report experiencing neither of the above.
Candidates will be screened with the following:
- Medical history and brief physical examination, including height, weight, and body fat
measurements. Body fat is measured using a device called a Bod Pod. The child sits
inside the device for about 5 minutes and the machine determines body fat by measuring
air movement. The child must wear a tight-fitting swimsuit for this test.
- Urine test to look for sugar or protein in the urine and to test for pregnancy in
females.
- Blood tests for routine chemistries and for gene studies related to eating behaviors.
- Questionnaires and interviews about the child's general health and eating habits.
- Acclimatization to test meal conditions for the study. The child is given a yogurt shake
to drink and fills out rating scales before and after the drink.
Participants will come to the Clinical Center two times at 8:30 a.m. for laboratory meal
testing. At each visit, the child will do the following:
- In the morning, eat a breakfast of apple juice and a buttered English muffin.
- Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., pursue activities at the Clinical Center recreation facility
or the NIH classroom, but may not eat or drink anything that contains calories.
- At 2 p.m., fill out rating scales about his or her hunger level.
- At 2:30 p.m., eat from a food buffet that will be made available.
- After eating, repeat rating scales about hunger level.
The procedure for both visits will be the same, except at one visit the child will be
instructed to eat as much as you would eat at a normal meal, and at the other visit, the
instruction will be to let yourself go and eat as much as you want.
linked to genetics.
Children between 8 and 17 years of age may be eligible for this study. It will include
children who have experienced loss of control over eating, children who report overeating
without loss of control, and children who report experiencing neither of the above.
Candidates will be screened with the following:
- Medical history and brief physical examination, including height, weight, and body fat
measurements. Body fat is measured using a device called a Bod Pod. The child sits
inside the device for about 5 minutes and the machine determines body fat by measuring
air movement. The child must wear a tight-fitting swimsuit for this test.
- Urine test to look for sugar or protein in the urine and to test for pregnancy in
females.
- Blood tests for routine chemistries and for gene studies related to eating behaviors.
- Questionnaires and interviews about the child's general health and eating habits.
- Acclimatization to test meal conditions for the study. The child is given a yogurt shake
to drink and fills out rating scales before and after the drink.
Participants will come to the Clinical Center two times at 8:30 a.m. for laboratory meal
testing. At each visit, the child will do the following:
- In the morning, eat a breakfast of apple juice and a buttered English muffin.
- Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., pursue activities at the Clinical Center recreation facility
or the NIH classroom, but may not eat or drink anything that contains calories.
- At 2 p.m., fill out rating scales about his or her hunger level.
- At 2:30 p.m., eat from a food buffet that will be made available.
- After eating, repeat rating scales about hunger level.
The procedure for both visits will be the same, except at one visit the child will be
instructed to eat as much as you would eat at a normal meal, and at the other visit, the
instruction will be to let yourself go and eat as much as you want.
Little is known about the eating habits of children under laboratory conditions. In this
exploratory study, we aim to examine the relationships between measured food intake during
meals, binge eating behaviors as assessed by interview, and polymorphisms in genes believed
to be involved in the regulation of energy intake. We will study children who report they
have experienced loss of control over eating, children who report overeating without loss of
control, and children who report neither of these episodes, and assess the impact of two
different meal instructions on their eating behavior. We will ask children to eat a meal in
the laboratory setting on two occasions. The only difference between the two meals will be a
pre-meal instruction: Participants will be asked either to eat 'normally' (the 'normal meal'
instruction) or to 'let yourself go' (the 'binge meal' instruction). Participants will be
assessed for affective state; degree of hunger, fullness, and desire to binge; presence of
overeating or loss of control; eating attitudes and dieting; and general school and social
adjustment. Participants' DNA will be sequenced to seek polymorphisms in genes relevant for
appetite, such as the leptin and melanocortin 4 receptor genes, to examine whether genetic
variation in the leptin signaling pathway can account for variation in reported or actual
eating behaviors. Samples will also be obtained for hormones believed to be relevant for food
intake. By accurately describing eating behavior in children in relation to their age,
weight, history of dieting and/or overeating behavior, and genetic variation, we can refine
current theoretical models of disordered eating.
exploratory study, we aim to examine the relationships between measured food intake during
meals, binge eating behaviors as assessed by interview, and polymorphisms in genes believed
to be involved in the regulation of energy intake. We will study children who report they
have experienced loss of control over eating, children who report overeating without loss of
control, and children who report neither of these episodes, and assess the impact of two
different meal instructions on their eating behavior. We will ask children to eat a meal in
the laboratory setting on two occasions. The only difference between the two meals will be a
pre-meal instruction: Participants will be asked either to eat 'normally' (the 'normal meal'
instruction) or to 'let yourself go' (the 'binge meal' instruction). Participants will be
assessed for affective state; degree of hunger, fullness, and desire to binge; presence of
overeating or loss of control; eating attitudes and dieting; and general school and social
adjustment. Participants' DNA will be sequenced to seek polymorphisms in genes relevant for
appetite, such as the leptin and melanocortin 4 receptor genes, to examine whether genetic
variation in the leptin signaling pathway can account for variation in reported or actual
eating behaviors. Samples will also be obtained for hormones believed to be relevant for food
intake. By accurately describing eating behavior in children in relation to their age,
weight, history of dieting and/or overeating behavior, and genetic variation, we can refine
current theoretical models of disordered eating.
- INCLUSION CRITERIA:
- Good general health.
- Age greater than 7 and less than 18 years.
- Participants must have negative urine glucose and normal electrolytes, hepatic, and
thyroid function or they will be referred for treatment.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
- Any major medical problem likely to affect caloric intake (e.g., significant cardiac
or pulmonary disease likely to result in hypoxia or decreased perfusion).
- History of an eating disorder, other than binge eating disorder, or a current
psychiatric disorder. Identification of any such illness will lead to immediate
referral to a mental health professional.
- Recent weight change of greater than 5 lbs. within the previous three (3) months.
- Pregnancy. If a potential participant is found to be pregnant, we will inform the
child, as an 'emancipated minor,' and let her inform her parent(s).
- Individuals who have, or whose parent or guardians have, current substance abuse or a
diagnosed psychiatric disorder or other condition that, in the opinion of the
investigators, would impede competence or compliance or possibly hinder completion of
the study.
- Participants currently prescribed SSRI's neuroleptics, tricyclics, stimulants, or any
medication likely to affect caloric intake. Recent use (with six months) of weight
loss medications.
We found this trial at
1
site
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
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