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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04971811

Effects of Energy Density on Self-served Snacks in Preschool Children

The purpose of the study is to determine whether the energy density of snack foods affects the amounts that preschool children serve themselves and then consume. We will serve snacks that vary in energy density to preschool children in their childcare centers and measure the amount they serve themselves and consume. The results will have implications for guidance about the provision of snacks for preschool children and may help in identifying strategies for the prevention of obesity in children.

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Key information

Conditions

Eating Behavior Behavior Behavior, Animal Feeding Behavior

Age range

4 year–6 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The Pennsylvania State University

University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Children who are enrolled in a scheduled classroom of the participating childcare centers
  • Children who are between the ages of 4 and 6 years old at the time of enrollment

Exclusion criteria

  • Children who have tested positive or are showing symptoms of COVID-19, or have recently had potential exposure with a person with COVID-19
  • Children who are allergic to any of the foods served
  • Children whose diets exclude any of the foods served
  • Children who are absent from the childcare center on the acclimation day or both study days
  • Children who are not able to serve themselves the two foods that are provided during the acclimation day

Treatment and study plan

Snack with energy density less than 1.5 kcal/g

Other

Snack meal with snack food having energy density less than 1.5 kcal/g

Snack with energy density greater than 1.5 kcal/g

Other

Snack meal with snack food having energy density greater than 1.5 kcal/g

Primary outcomes

  1. Difference between interventions in the weight of self-served snack food

    Time frame: Study weeks 1 and 2

    Weight served of snack food in grams

  2. Difference between interventions in the weight of snack food consumed

    Time frame: Study weeks 1 and 2

    Weight consumed of snack food in grams

Secondary outcomes

  1. Difference between interventions in the volume of self-served snack food

    Time frame: Study weeks 1 and 2

    Volume served of snack food in milliliters (ml)

  2. Difference between interventions in the volume of snack food consumed

    Time frame: Study weeks 1 and 2

    Volume consumed of snack food in milliliters (ml)

  3. Difference between interventions in the energy of self-served snack food

    Time frame: Study weeks 1 and 2

    Energy served of snack food in kilocalories (kcal)

  4. Difference between interventions in the energy of snack food consumed

    Time frame: Study weeks 1 and 2

    Energy consumed of snack food in kilocalories (kcal)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Penn State University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Self-served Snack Study for Preschool Children

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Jul 22, 2021
Registry last updated
Mar 21, 2022

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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