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Hunger and Learning in Preschoolers

Presenters Name: 
Sarah Garzione
Co Presenters Name: 
Primary Research Mentor: 
Sibylle Kranz
Secondary Research Mentor: 
Session: 
4
Location: 
Newcomb Hall Ballroom
Grant Program Recipient: 
Harrison Undergraduate Research Grant
Abstract: 

Recent studies have suggested associations between food consumption and cognitive performance. This study evaluates the relationships between self-perception of hunger and fullness, food consumed, and cognitive function in young children. Three-year-old subjects (n=6) rated their hunger and fullness level using a previously published and age-appropriate measurement tool: two subsequent questions with dichotomous answer choices were combined to generate a 1-4 point Likert scale. Cognitive assessments including Peg-Tapping, KRISP (Kansas Reflection-Impulsivity Scale for Preschoolers), Happy Sad, and Track It were performed. Subjects were then given a meal. Subsequently, the measures were repeated. Preliminary data on this first cohort of children (total number of children will be n=40) do not suggest correlations between the variables of interest. The study is ongoing and the future larger sample size will be needed to generate valid results. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03861208