Brain scans reveal why some kids Don't overeat after watching food commercials
NCT ID NCT05073185
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study looks at why some children are less affected by food advertising than others. Researchers will use brain scans and eating tests in 200 kids aged 7-9 to find traits that protect against overeating. The goal is to understand what makes certain children resilient to food-cue triggered overeating, which could help prevent childhood obesity.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could reveal why some children are naturally resilient to food advertising, pointing toward new ways to prevent childhood obesity.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It may only describe differences without leading to a practical intervention, and results may not apply to all children.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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209 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2022
- Finished
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Jul 2026
- Lead sponsor
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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.
Who is studied
Parents and children meeting the eligibility criteria living within 40 miles of University Park, Pa.
- Ages
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7 to 9 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide 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.
Child Inclusion Criteria: 1. In order to be enrolled, children must be of good health based on parental self-report. 2. Have no learning disabilities (e.g., ADHD). 3. Have no allergies to the foods or ingredients used in the study. 4. Not be claustrophobic. 5. Not be taking any medications known to influence body weight, taste, food intake, behavior, or blood flow. 6. Be 7-9 years-old at enrollment. 7. The child must speak English. Parent Inclusion Criteria: 1. The parent who has the most knowledge of the child's eating behavior, media access, sleep and behavior must be available to attend the visits with their child. This would be decided among the parents. 2. The biological mother must have a body mass index either between 18.5 - 25 kg/m2 (low-risk group) or greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (high-risk group). One parent can report on both parents' BW and height. Exclusion Criteria: Children would be excluded if: 1. They are not within the age requirements (\< than 7 years old or \> than 9 years-old at baseline). 2. If they are taking cold or allergy medication, or other medications known to influence cognitive function, taste, appetite, or blood flow. 3. If they don't speak English. 4. If they are colorblind 5. If they report being claustrophobic. 6. if they have a learning disability, ADD/ADHD, language delays, autism or other neurological or psychological conditions. 7. if they have a pre-existing medical condition such as type I or type II diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Cushing's syndrome, Down's syndrome, food allergies, severe lactose intolerance, Prader-Willi syndrome, HIV, cancer, renal failure, or cerebral palsy. 8. if they are allergic to foods or ingredients used in the study. 9. if they have tattoos, permanent makeup, dental ware, pacemakers, or metal implants that would preclude safe completion of the MRI. 10. if the child has had an X-ray in the month prior to Visits 1 and 6. If so, they will be scheduled at a later date. Parent Exclusion Criteria: 1. if the biological mother has a body mass index \< 18.5 kg/m2 2. if the mother is between 25-30 kg/m2. 3. if the parent is unable to attend the study visits 4. if the family reports plans to move away from the area in the next year.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802, United States
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