Trout Consumption in Young Children and Families and Brain Health

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Cognitive Change; Well-Being, Psychological

• Registration Number: NCT06721468
• Lead Sponsor: University of Idaho

Brief Summary

Regular fish consumption may support brain health. Trout lines developed in Idaho contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients important for human cognition and mental wellbeing. Developed to support aquaculture sustainability, consumer preferences and human health benefits of these fish are unknown. The long-term goal of this project is to utilize nutrition education strategies to increase adult and child consumption of fish to improve brain health as measured by cognitive and emotional wellbeing. Research objectives and activities include, (1) adult and child consumer panels to provide sensory evaluation on three strains of trout, (2) effects of repeated exposure (RE) and child-centered nutrition phrases (CCNP) on eating behaviors and brain health will be determined using one control and two treatment groups of children in childcare settings, (3) effects of nutrition education, incorporating CCNP and fish preparation techniques, and RE targeting family meals on eating behaviors of children and brain health of adults and children will be determined using four treatment groups in the home setting.

Detailed Description

Regular fish consumption may support brain health. Trout lines developed in Idaho contain higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients important for human cognition and mental wellbeing. Developed to support aquaculture sustainability, consumer preferences and human health benefits of these fish are unknown. The long-term goal of this integrated project is to utilize nutrition education strategies to increase adult and child consumption of fish to improve brain health as measured by cognitive and emotional wellbeing. The long-term impact of this project addresses the key knowledge gap in understanding strategies to increase fish consumption in children and adults, which has the positive implication to improve adult and child cognitive and emotional wellbeing. As knowledge of the health benefits of foods such as fish, may not result in increased consumption, this study can provide evidence of repeated exposure and applied educational tools to facilitate consumption by children and adults. Results from this study will fill the gap to provide greater knowledge of cognitive and emotional wellbeing health benefits of fish consumption and strategies for increasing adult and children's fish consumption. A greater intake of fish not only has the potential to contribute to improved population health outcomes, but also has a probable role in sustainability of US agriculture and food systems through promotion of this cost effective source of protein. In addition, better understanding the sensory perceptions of consumers in relation to fish with varied diets is an important step in identifying additional strategies to grow the aquaculture industry. The specific lines of trout being developed at the Hagerman facility do have a focus on sustainability through feeding plant-based diets rather than the traditional fish meal diet, which is less sustainable and more taxing on the aquaculture industry. Having the data on consumer acceptance, and evidence to support nutrition education strategies to increase liking, and consumption of these lines of trout will contribute to the overall sustainability goals.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2024-05-13
• Status Verified: 2024-12
• Study First Submitted: 2024-12-03
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-12-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-12-03
• Study First Posted: 2024-12-06
• Last Update Posted: 2024-12-06
• Primary Completion: 2027-12-31
• Study Completion: 2027-12-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 99

Inclusion Criteria

• Objective 1: Children 3-6 years of age, adults age 18+, English speaking
• Objective 2: Children 4-6 years of age, English speaking
• Objective 3: Children 4-9 years of age AND parent/guardian, English or Spanish speaking, access to internet, currently eat fish less than twice per week

Exclusion Criteria

• allergy or dietary restriction preventing consuming fish

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in liking from baseline to 12-weeks	Change from baseline liking at 12-weeks	subjects rate their liking of trout on a 3-point scale (yummy, just okay, yucky)
Change in intake from baseline to 12-weeks	Change from baseline intake at 12-weeks	Subjects are offered 2oz of trout each week for 12 weeks. Trout servings are weighed pre/post consumption as a proxy of intake.
Change in cognition composite score from baseline to 12-weeks	Change from baseline cognition composite score at 12-weeks	Subjects complete a battery of computerized cognitive assessments at baseline and 12-weeks, using the NIHToolbox for Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function application. Early childhood cognition composite score is derived from scores on tthe Dimensional Change Card Sort, Flanker, Picture Sequence Memory, Picture Vocabulary, and Speeded Matching tests.
Change in emotion score from baseline to 12-weeks	Change from baseline emotion score at 12-weeks	Subjects complete a battery of computerized self-reported or parent proxy questionnaires using the NIHToolbox for Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function.
Difference in liking among three trout strains	measured 1 time upon enrollment	subjects rate their liking of three different trout strains

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in fluid cognition composite score from baseline to 12-weeks	Change from baseline cognition composite score at 12-weeks	Subjects complete a battery of computerized cognitive assessments at baseline and 12-weeks, using the NIHToolbox for Assessment of Neurological and Behavioral Function application. Fluid cognition composite score is derived from scores on the dimensional change card sort, flanker, picture sequence memory, list sorting, and pattern comparison tests.

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

University of Idaho; 🇺🇸 Moscow, Idaho, United States

Washington State University; 🇺🇸 Pullman, Washington, United States