Improving Brain Health by Increasing Trout Consumption in Children and Families Using Nutrition Education and Repeated Exposure

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to explore how regular consumption of specially developed trout, which contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids important for brain health, could support cognitive and emotional wellbeing in children and adults. The study addresses the knowledge gap regarding consumer preferences for these fish and how nutrition education strategies might increase fish consumption to benefit brain health and contribute to sustainable aquaculture. Participants will be involved in different groups to assess sensory preferences for three trout strains, effects of repeated exposure and child-centered nutrition messages on eating behaviors, and the impact of nutrition education including meal preparation and exposure to positive messages at home. Interventions include weekly servings of trout, nutrition phrases, puzzle games, and Eat Smart Idahos standard educational classes, with variations across experimental and control groups. Throughout the study, participants will provide feedback on trout liking and intake, and their cognitive and emotional wellbeing will be evaluated at baseline and after 12 weeks. The research includes consumer panels, childcare settings, and home-based interventions, with data collected on changes in liking, intake, cognition scores, and emotion scores. The total participation involves repeated assessments and exposure over up to 12 weeks to monitor brain health and eating behavior changes.

Trout Consumption in Young Children and Families and Brain Health