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Major aim of the Cognition Intervention Study Dortmund (CogniDo) was to add scientifically proven insights into cognitive effects of lunch to the existing recommendations for school meals in Germany. The Cognition Intervention Study Dortmund PLUS ties up to that aim. As an enhancement of CogniDo this study investigates the short-term effects of having school lunch versus skipping it on children's executive cognitive functions in the afternoon. The study was conducted in a comprehensive school in Gelsenkirchen (Germany) and included 215 children.
Because of cerebral particularities, children may react highly sensitive to short-term variations of nutrient supply. Therefore, an optimised composition of meals at favourable mealtime should be considered for optimal cognitive performance. The increasing implementation of all-day schools in Germany requires the children's catering for lunch at school. However, the number of 'meal skippers' is increasing among children and adolescents. Thus, the effect of skipping lunch at school on cognitive functioning is examined in this experimental cross-over trial. As prior intake of food can have an influence on the physiological effect of test meal, the children's dietary intake in the mid-morning is standardized. The intervention is integrated in everyday school life:
9.15 a.m. standardized snack within the frame of the regular break, 9.45 a.m. to 12.25 p.m. everyday school life, 12.25 p.m. either lunch (control) or water as a beverage (intervention of 'skipping meal'), 12.45 p.m. to 1.15 p.m. regular lunch break, 1.15 p.m. computerized tests of executive cognitive functioning, 2 p.m. lunch for the 'skipping meal'-group. Parameters of cognition with relevance to everyday school life are measured by a computerized test program developed by the Institute of Working Learning and Aging (Institut für Arbeiten Lernen Altern, ALA). Usual eating behaviour, sleep behaviour, physical activity and parental education were determined as control variables by questionnaires for children, parents. Migration background was requested from teachers. Body Mass Index was calculated based on measured height and weight.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Having lunch/skipping lunch | Experimental | Lunch ad libitum on test day 1 and no lunch on test day 2. Water at libitum was constantly available on both days. |
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skipping lunch | Other |
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| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| • Shifting | Measuring global task-switching costs by a three-part computer trial.
| Participants were tested twice with one week wash out (1h after having/skipping lunch) |
| • updating | Continuous monitoring and quick addition or deletion of contents within the working memory A sequence of 106 items (pictures of fruit and vegetables) is shown to the participants. A reaction is required if the actual shown item was equal to the item shown in the second to last. | Participants were tested twice with one week wash out (1h after having/skipping lunch) |
| • inhibition | In one item three superposed triangles are presented to the participants, each pointing independently either to the left or the right. In addition, only the triangle in the middle might have no top and, thus, neither pointing to the left nor the right. The participant is supposed to press the buttons left, right or no reaction according to the direction of the triangle in the middle. The outer triangles appear 0.5 ms before the one in the middle. In total, this trial consists of 102 items. | Participants were tested twice with one week wash out (1h after having/skipping lunch) |
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Inclusion Criteria:
All fifth and sixth grade students of Gesamtschule Berger Feld with the consent of parents and child
Exclusion Criteria:
Metabolic diseases, epilepsy or special diet
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| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Institute of Child Nutrition, Dortmund | Dortmund | 44225 | Germany |
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