Snacking Effects on the Brain Response to Foods and Satiety During Dieting
1 other identifier
interventional
70
1 country
1
Brief Summary
This study plans to learn more about how different types of snacks may affect brain processes relating to eating behaviors during a diet intervention.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable
Started Mar 2026
Typical duration for not_applicable
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
Click on a node to explore related trials.
Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
February 12, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
February 23, 2026
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
March 5, 2026
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
March 31, 2028
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
March 31, 2028
March 23, 2026
March 1, 2026
2.1 years
February 12, 2026
March 19, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Percent change in Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) response to visual food cues as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging
Percent change in blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) response from baseline to after the 12-week intervention while viewing visual food cues will be measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), focusing on insula, striatum, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex.
Baseline, 12 weeks
Secondary Outcomes (7)
Change in percent body fat
Baseline, 12 weeks
Change in appetite response to a meal
Baseline, 12 weeks
Change in food cravings
Baseline, 12 weeks
Change in dietary restraint
Baseline, 12 weeks
Change in reward-based eating drive
Baseline, 12 weeks
- +2 more secondary outcomes
Study Arms (2)
Snack Type 1: Walnuts
EXPERIMENTALParticipants will complete a 12 week diet intervention, during which they will be asked to reduce their daily caloric intake. During the diet intervention, participants in the Snack Type 1 group will be asked to eat a daily snack of walnuts, which will be provided by the study team. Participants will meet with study staff on a weekly basis during the intervention (with some meetings virtual and in-person visits every 2-3 weeks).
Snack Type 2: Pretzels
ACTIVE COMPARATORParticipants will complete a 12 week diet intervention, during which they will be asked to reduce their daily caloric intake. During the diet intervention, participants in the Snack Type 2 group will be asked to eat a daily snack of pretzels, which will be provided by the study team. Participants will meet with study staff on a weekly basis during the intervention (with some meetings virtual and in-person visits every 2-3 weeks).
Interventions
Participants will complete a 12 week diet intervention, during which they will be asked to reduce their daily caloric intake. During the diet intervention, participants in the Snack Type 1 group will be asked to eat a daily snack of walnuts, which will be provided by the study team.
Participants will complete a 12 week diet intervention, during which they will be asked to reduce their daily caloric intake. During the diet intervention, participants in the Snack Type 2 group will be asked to eat a daily snack of pretzels, which will be provided by the study team.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- years old
- BMI at least 27 kg/m2
- Comfortable completing a weight-loss intervention\\
- Willing to consume a daily snack of either walnuts or pretzels
You may not qualify if:
- Nut or wheat allergy
- History of bariatric surgery
- Current eating disorder
- Current illicit substance use
- Current pregnancy, lactation (or less than 3 months after stopping lactation), or less than 6 months postpartum
- Uncontrolled hypertension (\>160/100 mmHg)
- Significant endocrine/metabolic disease kidney disease, liver disease, or blood disease that would be anticipated to affect study results
- Taking injectable medications, sulfonylureas, or meglitinides for diabetes treatment
- Taking weight-loss medications, or steroids within \~3 months prior to study participation (e.g., GLP-1 receptor agonists)
- Significant mental health changes within \~3 months prior to study participation (e.g., medication adjustments, new psychiatric diagnoses, hospitalization relating to mental health concerns)
- Neurological illnesses or injury that would be anticipated to affect MRI data
- Weight change greater than 10% within 3 months prior to study participation
- Currently participating in another weight-loss study
- Not comfortable eating the study-provided meals (with allowances for dietary preferences) and/or following a highly restrictive diet (e.g., vegan)
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- University of Colorado, Denverlead
- California Walnut Commissioncollaborator
Study Sites (1)
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Kristina T Legget, PhD
University of Colorado, Denver
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- DOUBLE
- Who Masked
- INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Purpose
- OTHER
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- SPONSOR
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
February 12, 2026
First Posted
February 23, 2026
Study Start
March 5, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
March 31, 2028
Study Completion (Estimated)
March 31, 2028
Last Updated
March 23, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-03
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will not share