Identifying Physiological Biomarkers for Monitoring Dietary Behaviours

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are exploring physiological signals that change during eating to develop a tool that can objectively measure food intake. This study focuses on healthy adults aged 18 to 65 years and aims to identify biomarkers such as skin temperature, blood oxygen levels, pulse rate, and hand movements that correlate with eating behaviors like meal size, speed, and duration. The project also investigates the relationship between these physiological changes, energy intake, and blood sugar response. Ten healthy participants will attend two visits where they consume a high-calorie and a low-calorie meal in random order. Each meal is designed by nutritional experts and separated by at least 24 hours. During meals, physiological data are collected using bedside monitors and wearable sensors, while blood samples are taken before and up to 60 minutes after eating to measure glycemic response. This setup allows comparison between the effects of different calorie loads on body responses. Participants will be monitored for about two hours per visit, with blood drawn at five time points around the meal. Researchers will track heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, skin temperature, and hand movements before and after eating. The study evaluates how these measures change with meal intake and energy level. Data from this pilot will help develop wearable devices for future dietary monitoring. Participation is voluntary, with the option to withdraw at any time.

Identifying Wearable Biomarkers to Monitor Dietary Intake