Your childhood may be driving your food choices: new study investigates
NCT ID NCT06690294
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Sep 18, 2026 · Updated 59 times
Summary
This natural history study looks at how life events during childhood might affect eating behaviors and weight gain in adults. Researchers will observe 110 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 60, measuring food intake, physical activity, blood sugar, and body fat. Participants will also answer questions about their childhood and routines. The goal is to better understand the link between early-life unpredictability and adult eating patterns.
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 study could reveal how early-life unpredictability influences eating habits and metabolism, pointing toward new strategies for weight management.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It cannot prove cause and effect, and results may not apply to everyone.
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.
- Participants
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About 110 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Sep 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government research agency
The lead sponsor is the US National Institutes of Health.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
The study will enroll healthy, non-pregnant, women and men aged 18-60 years old who are without diabetes from the Greater Phoenix area, Arizona, United States. The study anticipates screening/enrolling 310 participants to achieve a goal of 110 participants completing the study.
- Ages
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18 to 60 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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.
* INCLUSION CRITERIA: In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study. * 18-60 years of age. * Able to read and understand English proficiently (to be able to complete the multiple study questionnaires and instruments). EXCLUSION CRITERIA: An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: * Diabetes * Fasting glucose \>= 126 mg/dl or HbA1c \>= 6.5% or * Self-reported history of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. * Endocrine disorders, such as --Self-reported history of Cushing's disease, pituitary disorders, or hypo- and hyperthyroidism * TSH \<0.1 or \>= 10 uIU/mL * Pulmonary disorders --Self-reported history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other lung disease that which would limit ability to follow the protocol (investigator judgment) * Cardiovascular diseases, --Self-reported history of coronary heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, and peripheral artery disease that which would limit ability to follow the protocol (investigator judgment) * Liver disease, * Advanced liver disease (as determined by history, labs, exams, and patient self-report) that which would limit ability to follow the protocol (investigator judgment) * AST or ALT elevations \> 3 times upper limit of normal * Gastrointestinal Surgery --Self-reported history of bariatric surgery * Renal disease * Self-reported history of renal replacement therapy * Abnormal kidney function (defined as eGFR \<60 mL/min/1.73m\^2) determined at screening (eGFR values are computed using the 2021 CKD-epi equation) * Central nervous system disease: --Including self-reported history of previous history of cerebrovascular accidents, dementia, and neurodegenerative disorders * Infectious disease: --Self-reported history of active tuberculosis, HIV, chronic coccidiomycosis or other chronic or acute infections * For Females: pregnancy, \<=6 months postpartum, currently breastfeeding, or on birth control (i.e., ingested, injected or implanted; non-hormonal methods such as copper IUD will be allowed) * Measured weight: greater than or equal to 450 lb. (maximum weight allowed on the DXA scanning tables by the manufacturer) * Inability to provide informed consent. * Self-reported history of psychological conditions including (but not limited to), active psychosis, schizophrenia, eating disorders, or forms of mental incapacity that would be incompatible with safe and successful participation in this study. * Current use of medications/dietary supplements/alternative therapies known to alter energy metabolism. * Inability to consume provided food during ad libitum food intake or snack food test based on a food allergy or intolerances or diet restrictions. * Any disorder not covered by any other exclusion criteria which, in the investigator's and/or team's opinion jeopardizes the safety of the participant or others or would interfere with adherence to the protocol. * Alcohol Abuse as defined by \>= 8-point score on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) questionnaire will be an exclusion criterion. * Current use of tobacco products that exceed "Very Low Dependence" on the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence Tool (score greater than 2) will be an exclusion criterion. Non-English-speaking subjects as a population will be excluded from participation in this protocol. Primary and secondary hypotheses of the protocol relate to a battery of psychological questionnaires and performances tests which are administered throughout the study. There are currently no validated, translated forms of these questionnaires and tests available; therefore, we will restrict enrollment to English speaking subjects only.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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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
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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NIDDK, Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona, 85014, United States
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