Complete tests and share information about your child's eating and behavior

Complete tests and share information about your child's eating and behavior | stella

What is this trial?

Researchers want to understand the different ways children develop unhealthy eating patterns that lead to obesity. This study will follow 500 children and their families over six years, using laboratory observations, smartphone tracking, wrist monitors, and regular health check-ups to identify what factors—including sleep, mood, genetics, and how the brain works—contribute to these eating behaviors and weight gain.

Obesity in children is a serious problem, but not all children develop it the same way. By understanding the specific eating behaviors and underlying causes that lead to weight gain in individual children, doctors can develop personalized treatments that actually work rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

your child is between 8 and 17 years old at the start of the study
your child is in generally good health (with the exception of being overweight)
your child can understand and complete study procedures
you are at least 18 years old and willing to provide information and a blood sample

You likely don't qualify if…

your child has serious heart disease or uncontrolled diabetes or high blood pressure
your child is currently taking medications known to affect weight or eating (such as some ADHD medications)
your child has a history of significant brain injury with loss of consciousness
your child has lost more than 5% of their body weight in the past three months
your child or any postmenarcheal girl in the study is pregnant or regularly using tobacco or alcohol

What participation looks like

Your child will have two initial visits to confirm eligibility and complete tests of thinking, mood, and behavior. Then over two weeks, your child will wear a wrist monitor to track sleep and use a smartphone to log eating, mood, and thoughts about food. After that, your child may participate in laboratory-based eating experiments. Finally, your family will return once per year for six years for weight and health check-ups, with more detailed testing every three years.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 14, 2026 · Not medical advice

Understanding eating behaviors and weight gain in children over six years

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)