Developmental Trajectories of Reinforcer Pathology and Childhood Obesity

Trajectories of Reinforcement, Activity, and Consumption in Kids

The goal of this observational study is to understand how children's food preferences, physical activity, and decision-making change over time and how these behaviors relate to body weight and overall health.

A cohort sequential design will be used to track 2 cohorts of children aged 8.5-9 years 11 months, and 10.5-11 years 11 months over a 3 year period to understand how the development of food and activity reinforcement and delay discounting could lead to the development of childhood obesity in children aged 9-14.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female children
• Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) or Hispanic families
• Children from low SES families (as defined by household education, eligibility for government assistance)
• Children in overweight/obese category (defined by range in each cohort)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Medical causes for obesity
• Stature below the 5th percentile
• Physical activity restrictions
• Psychopathology
• Medication use that affects activity or appetite
• Children that spend less than 65% of their time in participating parent's household
• BMI percentile criteria
• Liking of study foods and activities
• Dietary restrictions and food allergies