Building Research for Intervention Development in Gliosis and Eating Habits

Fostering Patient-oriented Research in Cardiometabolic Disease Pathogenesis and Prevention

The goal of this study is to 1) use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate the effect of nutritious foods on inflammation in the human hypothalamus of children and 2) assess the feasibility and acceptability of nutritious food feeding intervention strategies in children with overweight or obesity.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Study1: Adult caregiver and Child age 9-11y. Willing to come to in-person focus group
• Study 2: Age 9-11y, BMI ≥85th and ≤95th percentile for age and sex
• Study 3:Adult caregiver with child who qualify for free or reduced-cost lunch in WA State. Child age 9-11y and with overweight.

Exclusion Criteria (study 1 child participants and study 3 criteria for children of adult participants):

• Significant health conditions including type 2 diabetes
• History of major weight loss or eating disorder
• Current use of medications known to alter appetite or body weight (e.g., stimulants for ADHD)
• Documented cognitive disorder
• Severe food allergies, vegetarian, or vegan (Study 1 only)
• Unable to make the session date

Exclusion Criteria (study 2, child participants):

• Significant health conditions including type 2 diabetes
• History of major weight loss or eating disorder
• Current use of medications known to alter appetite or body weight (e.g., stimulants for ADHD)
• Documented cognitive disorder
• MRI contraindication (e.g., braces, claustrophobia)
• Weight >330 pounds (MRI limit)
• Severe food allergies, vegetarian, or vegan
• Currently in formal weight loss program