NCT07095166 · Penn State University
Monitoring Eating Across Locations (MEAL) - Timing, Intake, and Mealtime Evaluation (TIME)
(MEAL-TIME)
What this study is about
Increased availability of high-energy dense foods has contributed to a pediatric obesity epidemic, with 23% of United States children currently presenting with the disease. How children eat contributes to both overconsumption and greater adiposity.
View original scientific description
Increased availability of high-energy dense foods has contributed to a pediatric obesity epidemic, with 23% of United States children currently presenting with the disease. How children eat contributes to both overconsumption and greater adiposity. However, it is unclear if laboratory measures of children's eating style generalize to the home environment, where children consume two thirds of their total energy. The study will 1) test if child eating styles observed in the lab generalize to more ecologically valid home environments and 2) identify aspects of home food environment that amplify obesogenic eating behaviors. We will assess laboratory and home eating styles (e.g., bite rate) in 100 prepubertal 6-9-year-old children to constrain variability in energy requirements. Children will be video-recorded while consuming identical study-provided meals at home and in the laboratory (counter-balanced order) in addition to a 'typical' meal at home. To study how adiposity relates to "obesogenic" styles of eating, gold standard dual x-ray absorptiometry will be used.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
Meal Location
The location at which the child will eat the experimental meal - home or lab
Primary outcome measures
Child body mass index
Time frame: Day 1
child height and weight will be measured
Food intake in grams during a standard meal
Time frame: Day 1 and Day 2 or 3 depending on randomization
Intake in grams from standard meal
Food intake in kcal during a standard meal
Time frame: Day 1 and Day 2 or 3 depending on randomization
Intake in kcal during a standard meal
Video coding of standard meal
Time frame: Day 1 and Day 2 or 3 depending on randomization
A digital recording of the child eating a standard meal will be saved. The study team have developed a behavior coding protocol to measure child meal microstructure (e.g., bites, bite size, meal duration) and have also validated a computational model to assess cumulative intake curves from video coded bite data.
Food intake in grams during a snack buffet when not hungry
Time frame: Day 1
Intake in grams during a snack buffet using a standard eating in the absence of hunger paradigm (i.e., non-homeostatic intake)
Food intake in kcal during a snack buffet when not hungry
Time frame: Day 1
Intake in kcal during a snack buffet using a standard eating in the absence of hunger paradigm (i.e., non-homeostatic intake)
Body Composition
Time frame: Day 1
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to assess body composition including fat mass and fat-free mass in children
Food intake in grams during a Study Meal
Time frame: Day 2 or 3 depending on randomization and home meal administration
Intake in grams from Study Meal
Food intake in kcal during the Study Meal
Time frame: Day 2 or 3 depending on randomization and home meal administration
Intake in kcal during the Study Meal
Video coding of the study meal
Time frame: Day 2 or 3 depending on randomization and home meal administration
A digital recording of the child eating a Study Meal will be saved. The study team have developed a behavior coding protocol to measure child meal microstructure (e.g., bites, bite size, meal duration) and have also validated a computational model to assess cumulative intake curves from video coded bite data.
Video coding of home meals
Time frame: Week 1 and Week 2
Digital recordings of the child eating a typical meals at home. The study team have developed a behavior coding protocol to measure child meal microstructure (e.g., bites, bite size, meal duration) and have also validated a computational model to assess cumulative intake curves from video coded bite data.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- children must be between the ages of 6-9 years-old
- children are of good health with no learning disabilities (e.g., ADHD, determined by parent report)
- children are not on any medications known to impact body weight, taste, food intake, behavior, or blood flow
- parents report that children like and are willing to eat study foods
Exclusion criteria
- Children are not within the age requirements (\<6 years old or \> 9 years old)
- If children are taking cold or allergy medication, or other medications known to influence cognitive function, taste, appetite, or blood flow.
- If children don't speak English.
- If children are colorblind.
- If children have a learning disability, ADD/ADHD, language delays, autism or other neurological or psychological conditions.
- If children have a pre-existing medical condition such as type I or type II diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Cushing's syndrome, Down's syndrome, severe lactose intolerance, Prader-Willi syndrome, HIV, cancer, renal failure, or cerebral palsy.
- If children are allergic to foods or ingredients used in the study.
- child received an X-ray in the previous year (to avoid excess radiation exposure due to the DXA scans performed in the research)
Where
- State College, Pennsylvania
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Mar 6, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations