Children's Growth and Behavior Study Understanding Eating Behavior and Health in Youth Longitudinal Observational Study

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how genes and the environment influence children's eating behavior and health over time, focusing on youth aged 8 to 17 years. This observational study aims to understand the patterns of eating behavior that may lead to excessive weight gain and related health problems. The study will follow healthy obese and non-obese boys and girls for up to six years to identify early risk factors and mechanisms influencing eating habits and weight changes. Participants will undergo extensive evaluations including medical history, physical exams, body measurements, and cognitive and behavioral tests. The study involves wearing wrist monitors for two weeks to track sleep and mood, answering smartphone prompts about eating, and providing biological samples such as stool, saliva, urine, and blood. Annual visits include repeated body measurements, X-rays, questionnaires, and thinking and behavior assessments. Additional optional studies include stress and hormone testing, brain imaging, and sleep/fatigue experiments. During participation, children and their parents will attend screening visits and up to six yearly follow-ups lasting 3 to 8 hours each. Assessments include heart tests, laboratory meals, interviews, and computerized tasks to evaluate mood, cognition, and eating behavior. Parents may also provide medical information and samples. The primary outcome measured is differences in children's eating behavior over six years. Participants will be compensated for their time and involvement throughout the study.

Children s Growth and Behavior Study