The Impact of an Acute Bout of Exercise on Children's Eating Behaviors

Completed

• Conditions: Pediatric Obesity

• Registration Number: NCT02833051
• Lead Sponsor: Penn State University

Brief Summary

The purpose of this project is to examine the effects of an acute bout of exercise on children's energy intake over the course of a day. Previous studies in adolescents and adults have shown exercise to be effective in decreasing short-term energy intake, with some variability. Individual characteristics such as habitual physical activity and psychological factors may influence the effect of exercise on energy intake, but these factors have yet to be examined. The investigators have assembled a multi-disciplinary team of researchers, with expertise in eating behavior, exercise, psychology, and clinical research in order to examine these questions. First, the investigators will examine the difference in energy intake at lunch, snack, and dinner meals in response to 30 minutes of imposed exercise compared to 30 minutes of rest. Second, the investigators will collect objective measures of children's habitual physical activity, child characteristics (body composition, eating behavior traits), and individual responses to the controlled exercise bout. The investigators can then examine both group and individual differences in the energy intake response to exercise. Children (ages 9-12) will be tested over the course of three visits. The key outcome will be differences in energy intake in response to exercise vs. rest. Secondary outcomes include the influence of differences in habitual physical activity, personal characteristics, and responses to the exercise bout on children's energy intake. The long term goal of this line of research is to understand the mechanisms behind the interaction between exercise and energy intake. The translational potential of this research will be to inform personalized childhood obesity prevention strategies in children at risk for overweight.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2015-05
• Primary Completion: 2015-11
• Study Completion: 2015-11
• Study First Submitted: 2016-06-08
• Study First Submitted QC: 2016-07-11
• Study First Posted: 2016-07-14
• Status Verified: 2021-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-01-11
• Last Update Posted: 2021-01-13

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• English as a native language
• Reading at/above grade level
• Generally healthy
• Child is "normal weight" below the 85% age- and sex-specific BMI percentile
• Child has at least one biological parent classified as "overweight" or "obese" (≥ 25 kg/m^2)
• Regularly eats breakfast

Exclusion Criteria

• Contraindications to exercise testing (as defined by the American College of Sports Medicine)
• Medical conditions
• Psychiatric conditions
• Participation in competitive sports teams (year-round or more than 3 practices / week)
• Food allergies or other dietary restrictions

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Baseline energy intake	Collected at week 1 of the study	Food intake is measured at objective laboratory test-meals as the difference between the pre-meal and post-meal weights of individual food items served. Weight of food is converted to energy in kilocalories based on nutrition facts label information.
Energy intake following exercise	Collected at week 2 or 3 (randomized) of the study	Food intake is measured at objective laboratory test-meals as the difference between the pre-meal and post-meal weights of individual food items served. Weight of food is converted to energy in kilocalories based on nutrition facts label information.
Energy intake following sedentary control	Collected at week 2 or 3 (randomized) of the study	Food intake is measured at objective laboratory test-meals as the difference between the pre-meal and post-meal weights of individual food items served. Weight of food is converted to energy in kilocalories based on nutrition facts label information.
Activity-related energy expenditure - Baseline day	Collected in the laboratory at week 1, 2, and 3, and at home for one week between the 2nd and 3rd laboratory visits	Measured using ActiGraph accelerometers
Activity-related energy expenditure - Exercise day	Collected at week 2 or 3 (randomized) of the study	Measured using ActiGraph accelerometers
Activity-related energy expenditure - Sedentary control day	Collected at week 2 or 3 (randomized) of the study	Measured using ActiGraph accelerometers

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Baseline submaximal fitness test performance	Collected at week 1 of the study	YMCA submaximal cycle ergometer test - American College of Sports Medicine
Child physical activity patterns	Collected at home for one week between the 2nd and 3rd laboratory visits	Measured using ActiGraph accelerometers
Exercise test performance (70% intensity) - Blood pressure	Collected at week 2 or 3 (randomized) of the study	Measured by registered nurse or trained research assistant
Exercise test performance (70% intensity) - Completion	Collected at week 2 or 3 (randomized) of the study	Children's completion of the full 30 minutes of 70% intensity exercise
Exercise test performance (70% intensity) - Heart rate	Collected at week 2 or 3 (randomized) of the study	Measured by Polar Heart Rate Monitor
Exercise test performance (70% intensity) - Ratings of perceived exertion	Collected at week 2 or 3 (randomized) of the study	Measured on the Borg Scale
Child sleep patterns	Collected at home for one week between the 2nd and 3rd laboratory visits	Measured using ActiGraph accelerometers

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The Pennsylvania State University; 🇺🇸 University Park, Pennsylvania, United States