Characterizing Resilience to Food-cue Induced Overeating in Children
Strong empirical evidence shows food marketing promotes excess energy intake and obesity. Yet, not all children are susceptible to its effects and this variability is poorly understood. Identifying sources of this variability is a public health priority not only because it may elucidate characteristics of children who are most susceptible, but also because it may highlight novel sources of resiliency to overconsumption. The proposed research will use state-of-the art, data-driven approaches to identify neural, cognitive and behavioral phenotypes associated with resiliency to food-cue (i.e. food advertisement) induced overeating and determine whether these phenotypes protect children from weight gain during the critical pre-adolescent period.
• In order to be enrolled, children must be of good health based on parental self-report.
• Have no learning disabilities (e.g., ADHD).
• Have no allergies to the foods or ingredients used in the study.
• Not be claustrophobic.
• Not be taking any medications known to influence body weight, taste, food intake, behavior, or blood flow.
• Be 7-9 years-old at enrollment.
• The child must speak English.
• 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.
• 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.