Effects of Apple Form on Energy Intake During a Mid-Afternoon Snack: A Preload Paradigm Study in School-Aged Children

Food oral processing and eating behavior from infancy to childhood: evidence on the role of food texture in the development of healthy eating behavior

Eating behaviors develop in early life and refine during childhood, shaping long-term food choice and dietary habits, which underpin optimum growth and health. The development of Food Oral Processing (FOP) is of major importance in the establishment of eating behaviors at two scale levels: for the initial acceptance of food texture and for the longer-term development of eating behaviors associated to food intake. To date, both processes have been studied as independent topics and the current review proposes a parallel vision on their development from the onset of complementary feeding to later childhood. Individual factors affecting these FOP-related behaviors as they relate to food texture acceptance are discussed, alongside examples of interventions aiming at modifying them. Opportunity to better consider food textures when designing foods for children is addressed. Altogether, the review demonstrates the critical role of food texture in the development of a child's FOP skills, eating habits, and dietary patterns. These scientific knowledges need to be considered for the development of healthier eating behavior. We identify research gaps that need to be addressed and highlight the need to design foods that can support the development of healthy oral processing and eating behaviors among infants and children.

Inter-individual differences in children's short-term energy compensation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The ability to regulate energy intake is often assessed using a preloading paradigm to measure short-term energy compensation. In children, large variability exists with this paradigm both within- and across- studies and is poorly understood.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to better understand factors contributing to variability in children's energy compensation. We tested 1) whether children demonstrated "good" energy compensation, defined as adjusting meal intake commensurate with preload intake and 2) differences in children's energy compensation by child age, sex, and weight status (assessed both continuously and categorically).

METHODS

Standard guidelines for systematic review were followed to search PubMed, PsychInfo, and Web of Science. Data on study design (preload form, preload-to-meal interval, preload energy difference, study setting) and participant characteristics (sex, age, weight status) were extracted from 29 experiments meeting inclusion criteria, and 13 were included in meta-analyses. COMPx (energy compensation index), a linear transformation comparing food intake following a high- vs. low-energy preload, was the outcome. Hedge's g was calculated, and random intercept-only models tested associations between COMPx and sex, age, and weight status.

RESULTS

The systematic review revealed mixed results regarding children's energy compensation and the role of inter-individual differences. Meta-analytic models revealed that children undercompensated (overate) for preload energy (β = -0.38; P = 0.008). Sex (β = 0.11; P = 0.76), age (β = 0.03; P = 0.75), and weight (assessed continuously; β = -0.07, P = 0.37) were not related to compensation. Children with overweight/obesity (assessed categorically) undercompensated more than children with healthy weight (β = 0.18; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

The systematic review highlighted wide variability across studies, while the meta-analysis demonstrated differences in COMPx by child weight status but not by age or sex. Standardizing protocols across studies is recommended, along with designing adequately powered studies aiming to test inter-individual differences a priori. Alternative approaches to the use of COMPx are recommended to allow better characterization of children's energy compensation ability. This study was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42020197748.

Examining the Role of Food Form on Children's Self-Regulation of Energy Intake

Increasing childhood obesity rates in both the United States and worldwide demonstrate a need for better prevention and intervention strategies. However, little is understood about what factors influence children's ability to sense and respond to hunger and fullness cues, a critical component of self-regulation of energy intake and maintenance of a healthy body weight. Research in adults suggests that food form may influence self-regulation of energy intake. More specifically, beverages are not as satiating as solid foods when matched for factors such as energy content, energy density, and volume and therefore elicit poorer energy intake self-regulation. However, much less is known about the impact of food form on children's ability to regulate their energy intake. This report describes a study that will examine the relationship between biological, cognitive, and psychological factors and children's appetite self-regulation (ASR). In this registered report, we will examine the influence of food form on children's short-term energy compensation, a proxy indicator of energy intake self-regulation. The study will employ a within-subjects, crossover design in which children (n = 78) ages 4.5-6 years will attend five laboratory visits, each ~1 week apart. During each visit, children will be presented with one of five possible preload conditions: apple slices, apple sauce, apple juice, apple juice sweetened with non-nutritive sweetener (NNS), or no preload. The order of preload conditions will be pseudorandomized and counterbalanced across participants. Following consumption of the preload (or no preload), children will consume a standardized ad libitum test meal of common foods for this age group. We hypothesize that children will demonstrate poorer short-term energy compensation (greater meal intake) in response to the liquid and semi-solid preloads compared to the solid preload. Understanding how energy in various forms affects children's ability to self-regulate intake has implications for dietary recommendations and will help identify those who are most at-risk for poor intake regulation and the development of obesity.