Genetic Predisposition to Food Cue Reactivity in Children

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study assesses the associations between genetic factors, food-cue-related neural reactivity, self-regulatory capacity, eating in the absence of hunger (EAH), and adiposity gain in children.

Detailed Description
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The investigators will assess the associations between genetic factors, food-cue-related neural reactivity, eating in the absence of hunger (EAH) in response to food cues, and adiposity gain in children. They will also determine whether self-regulatory capacity modifies these associations. The genetic factors explored specifically include FTO, MC4R, polymorphisms in genes involved in dopaminergic pathways, and a composite genetic risk score built from genome-wide obesity-related loci. [3/14/2020]: Study recruitment temporarily halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Official Title
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The Relation of Genetic Factors, Food Cues, and Self-Regulation With Excess Consumption and Adiposity in Children

Conditions
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Childhood Obesity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Food Ads
* Other: Non-food Ads


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: English fluency Willingness to participate in all study visits Exclusion Criteria: Relevant food allergies or dietary restrictions Metal in or on the body Claustrophobia Psychiatric and neurological disorders Relative in the study Appetite- or attention-altering medications or disorders

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 8 Years
Maximum Age: 12 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Food Ads and fMRI<br>Exposure to food ads during an fMRI scan | Behavioral: Food Ads<br>* Exposure to foods ads embedded in an age-appropriate TV program<br>|
| Sham Comparator: Non-Food Ads and fMRI<br>Exposure to non-food ads during an fMRI scan | Other: Non-food Ads<br>* Exposure to non-food ads embedded in an age-appropriate TV program<br>|
| Active Comparator: Food Ads and TV show<br>Exposure to food ads embedded in an age-appropriate TV program | Behavioral: Food Ads<br>* Exposure to foods ads embedded in an age-appropriate TV program<br>|
| Sham Comparator: Non-Food Ads and TV show<br>Exposure to non-food ads embedded in an age-appropriate TV program | Other: Non-food Ads<br>* Exposure to non-food ads embedded in an age-appropriate TV program<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Food-cue-related neural activity | Activation in brain reward regions in response to food vs. non-food cues, as measured by differences in the blood-oxygen-level dependent response during fMRI scans. Investigators will examine associations between polymorphisms in FTO, MC4R, as well as a genetic risk score with the differential neural activity. | Baseline | 
| Food-cue-related Eating in the Absence of Hunger (EAH) | Difference in kcals consumed in response to food vs. non-food cue exposure in the behavioral sessions. Investigators will examine how differential neural activity in response to food vs. non-food cues will relate to EAH. Investigators will also assess whether self-regulatory capacity diminishes this association between differential neural activity and EAH. | Baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks | 
| Change in BMI | Difference between BMI z-score according to the Center for DiseaSe Control 2000 Growth Reference Curves assessed at baseline and follow-up. Investigators will assess the associations between genetic factors (polymorphisms in FTO, MC4R; and a genetic obesity risk score), food-cue-related neural activity and EAH with change in BMI. | Baseline, 1-year followup | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Obesity, Cue Reactivity, Genetics, Self Regulation, fMRI, Children, Eating in the Absence of Hunger