Developmental Trajectories of Reinforcer Pathology and Childhood Obesity

NCT07229508 | Recruiting DMC

• 2 other identifiers: STUDY000087021R01DK139258-01A1
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 250
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to understand how children's food preferences, physical activity, and decision-making change over time and how these behaviors relate to body weight and overall health.

Conditions

Pediatric Obesity

Keywords

Reinforcer Pathology Theory; Reinforcing Value; Delay Discounting

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• zBMI

  Height and weight will be measured to determine zBMI using the CDC extended BMI-for-age growth charts. First, height (m) and weight (kg) will be used to calculate BMI (kg/m\^2), then, using the CDC extended BMI-for-age growth charts, a zBMI score will be determined based on the charts.

  0, 12, 24 and 36 months

• body fat

  Body fat (% of body weight) will be measured using the Tanita BF-400 Total Body Analyzer.

  0, 12, 24 and 36 months

• percent change over the overweight BMI

  Height and weight will be measured to calculate changes in overweight status of children. Change in percent overweight from 0, 12, 24, 36 months. First, height and weight will be used to calculate BMI (kg/m\^2), then CDC extended growth charts will be used to determine BMI percentile. Percent overweight is calculated as ((childBMI percentile - 85th BMI percentile)/(85th BMI percentile)) x 100. Percent over the age- and sex- specific 85th BMI percentile for children will be used.

  0, 12, 24 and 36 months

Study Arms (2)

Aged 8.5-9

Children that are enrolled when they are 8.5- 9 years, 11 months of age

Aged 10.5-11

Children that are enrolled when they are 10.5-11 years, 11 months age

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 8 Years - 11 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Male and female children of varying racial/ethnic backgrounds, SES backgrounds, and varying body compositions

You may qualify if:

• Male and female children
• Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) or Hispanic families
• Children from low SES families (as defined by household education, eligibility for government assistance)
• Children in overweight/obese category (defined by range in each cohort)

You may not qualify if:

• Medical causes for obesity
• Stature below the 5th percentile
• Physical activity restrictions
• Psychopathology
• Medication use that affects activity or appetite
• Children that spend less than 65% of their time in participating parent's household
• BMI percentile criteria
• Liking of study foods and activities
• Dietary restrictions and food allergies

Sponsors & Collaborators

• State University of New York at Buffalo: lead
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

State University of New York at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York, 14214, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pediatric Obesity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Obesity; Overweight; Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Leonard H Epstein, PhD

  SUNY-University at Buffalo

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Mary J Hite, BA

CONTACT

7168292261; maryjohi@buffalo.edu

Katelyn Carr, PhD

CONTACT

7168296814; kcarr@buffalo.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 24, 2025
• First Posted: November 17, 2025
• Study Start: November 6, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2030
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2030
• Last Updated: November 17, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)