Clinical Trial Details
— Status: Active, not recruiting
Administrative data
NCT number |
NCT05534711 |
Other study ID # |
FSS |
Secondary ID |
|
Status |
Active, not recruiting |
Phase |
|
First received |
|
Last updated |
|
Start date |
July 9, 2020 |
Est. completion date |
May 30, 2024 |
Study information
Verified date |
September 2022 |
Source |
University of Guelph |
Contact |
n/a |
Is FDA regulated |
No |
Health authority |
|
Study type |
Observational
|
Clinical Trial Summary
The Family Stress Study is following families with young children in Guelph, Hamilton and
surrounding areas over 3 years to understand how chronic stress impacts children's weight
gain over time and how this association is mediated by alterations in children's cortisol
production and weight-related behaviours.
Description:
The Family Stress Study is a longitudinal observational study designed to examine behavioural
and biological pathways through which exposure to chronic stress may impact excess weight
gain in young children.
This study will examine whether exposure to chronic stressors, i.e., household chaos,
negative life events, food insecurity, and parental depression, is directly associated with
higher weight gain among children. This study will also examine whether alterations in
children's cortisol production and weight-related behaviours, i.e., dietary intake, eating
behaviour, physical activity, sedentary behaviours and sleep, mediate the stress-weight gain
link in young children. This research will also identify whether the quality of caregiver
relationships, child sex, family social support, family social connection, or caregiver
education moderate the pathways linking stress and excess weight gain.
To achieve our aims, 300 children aged 2 to 6 years from families in the Guelph and Hamilton
areas will be recruited to examine key behavioural and biological pathways through which
exposure to chronic stress may impact weight gain. Our study will also examine the impact of
chronic stress on children's mental health, which is a secondary outcome of our study.
Understanding which sources of stress and the key behaviours that have the greatest impact on
obesity risk among chronically stressed children will aid in the development of effective
obesity prevention interventions for specific families.
Additionally, this study is well-poised to examine how family stressors during the COVID-19
pandemic influenced children's health behaviours and resulting weight outcomes. Further
examination of COVID-19-related stressors, i.e., quarantine or illness due to COVID-19,
employment in essential services, general stress, food insecurity, financial insecurity and
employment change due to COVID-19, impact cortisol levels and health behaviours and resulting
weight outcomes in children. We will also examine how factors such as family social
connection or social support, may moderate the impact of the stressors due to COVID-19 on
child health. This information will guide strategies to support families in the post-COVID-19
context.