The Genetics of Food Cue Reactivity in Children

This study aimed to investigate genetic factors related to appetite, eating in the absence of hunger and brain reward response to food cues in a convenience sample of pre-adolescent children taken through two studies (A and B). The study involved genome-wide genotyping using the Illumina Global Screening Array. The study found an obesity polygenic risk score related to parent-reported appetitive traits in children, The study also found that FTO was related to eating in the absence of hunger and brain reward response to food cues. Available data include genotypes, measured height and weight, appetitive traits, consumption, brain reward response to food cues, and sociodemographic variables.]]>
Inclusion criteria for study A included ages 9-10 years at baseline, English fluency, no dietary restrictions related to the foods served, and no health condition or medication use affecting attention span or appetite. Inclusion criteria for study B included ages 9–12 years at baseline, English fluency, no dietary restrictions related to the foods served in the study, no immediate family members participating in the study, no MRI contraindications, no health condition or medication use that may affect attention span or appetite. ]]>