Could how fast kids chew shape their weight?

NCT ID NCT07808983

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Ariel University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Sep 09, 2026 · Last updated Sep 10, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

Researchers at Ariel University are studying whether how children chew and how fast they eat relate to their weight. The trial enrolls 70 healthy children aged 6 to 11, half with obesity and half at a normal weight. Each child eats two breakfast meals of equal calories that differ in texture, one soft and one harder, while a monitor and video track chewing time, number of chews, and eating speed. The team also measures hunger hormones, fullness, daily food intake, and body measurements, and one parent completes a similar assessment.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Two standardized Mediterranean breakfast meals that differ in texture, one soft and one harder
What this could lead to: If chewing and eating speed link to weight in children, this could shape advice on how families eat and guide future programs to prevent childhood obesity.
What could go wrong: This is an observational study of 70 children, so it can show links but not prove cause and effect. Eating habits measured in a lab may not reflect everyday meals at home.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 70 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Sep 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Sep 2028

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

6 to 11 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy children aged 6-11 years and their parents who are fluent in Hebrew or English. Exclusion Criteria: * Children with dietary restrictions due to medical indications, such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or other health conditions that may affect their ability to accept identical test meals included in the research. * Children who are treated with medications for ADD or ADHD. * Children with recent tooth loss or an oral injury that interferes with their ability to chew or eat normally at the time of assessment.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Feeding Behavior obesity disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Healhty

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

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Could how fast kids chew shape their weight?

What the study statuses mean