Eating Disorders Trial, Recruiting

Written by an AI model from ClinicalTrials.gov eligibility criteria and checked on a sample basis. Please confirm against the original criteria.

Who might be able to join this trial:

For parents or guardians:

• You are 18 years old or older.
• You have a child who is enrolled in this study.

For child participants:

• The child is between 8 and 17 years old (and may continue in the study as an adult during follow-up).
• The child's weight, height, and body mass index (a measure using height and weight) are at or above the 5th percentile for their age and sex, based on standard US growth charts.
• The child is able to understand and complete the study tasks (based on a standard cognitive assessment score of 70 or above).
• The child is generally in good health, based on a medical history and physical check-up (being overweight or having minor, well-managed health conditions is acceptable).

Who may not be able to join:

For parents or guardians:

• Your child does not meet the eligibility requirements for the study.
• The medical team believes you have a health or mental health condition that could make it unsafe for you to complete the study procedures (this is assessed individually).

For child participants:

• The child has a history of serious heart or cardiovascular disease, or other serious health complications related to being overweight, such as high blood pressure or blood sugar levels high enough to indicate diabetes (fasting blood sugar above 126 mg/dL).
• The child has a serious ongoing illness affecting the kidneys, liver, digestive system, lungs (other than asthma not requiring daily medication), blood, or certain hormonal conditions (such as Cushing syndrome or untreated thyroid problems).
• The child regularly takes medication known to affect body weight or eating habits (for example, some ADHD medications) — other medications may be reviewed individually.
• The child is currently pregnant or has been pregnant before; girls who have started their period will need a negative pregnancy test before joining.
• The child currently and regularly uses tobacco or alcohol.
• The child has lost more than 5% of their body weight in the past three months, for any reason.
• The child has a history of a significant or recent head injury, including any loss of consciousness lasting 30 minutes or more, memory loss or hospitalisation from a head injury, or two or more concussions in the past year.
• The child has a diagnosed full psychiatric disorder (such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anorexia, bulimia, or substance abuse) that the study team feels would prevent them from safely completing the study — they would be referred for appropriate care instead.
• Any other condition in the child or parent/guardian that the study team feels would prevent the child from completing the study (for example, a significant learning disorder).

Additional exclusions for the optional stool sample collection part of the study:

• The child has been diagnosed with or has a history of inflammatory bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease), coeliac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or other inflammatory gut conditions.
• The child has had diarrhoea within 1 week before providing the sample.
• The child has taken antibiotics within 4 weeks before providing the sample.

Additional exclusions for Experiment 1 only:

• The child regularly takes medications that could affect the nervous system or hormone levels, such as alpha or beta blockers, oral contraceptives, or prescription pain medication.
• The child scores as "highly active" on a standard physical activity questionnaire, due to the effect high activity levels can have on stress hormone responses (confirm with trial site).

Additional exclusions for Experiment 2 only:

• The child cannot safely have an MRI or MEG scan — for example, because they have metal in or on their body, braces, certain implants (such as cochlear implants), brain clips, or certain tattoos (including permanent makeup) that may contain metals (confirm with trial site).
• The child is left-handed.

Important: Always verify eligibility with the trial site directly before applying.