Study evaluates a new way to track children’s food intake

Sponsored by Pennington Biomedical Research Center

What if everyday technology could help researchers better understand how children and families eat? A new, first-of-its-kind study is designed to help researchers learn more about children’s and parents’ eating behaviors in real-life settings.

The SmartEat study will enroll 35 children aged 8–12 and their parents or caregivers to complete a series of eating and non-eating activities in both controlled laboratory and free-living conditions. By using smartwatch-based technology, the study aims to better understand how eating behaviors can be monitored outside of traditional research settings.

This research may help improve the way eating patterns are studied in the future and support the development of better tools for nutrition research. Families who participate will contribute to innovative research focused on nutrition, technology, and family health.

Parents or caregivers may be eligible if they are 18–70 years old and have a child 8–12 years old who is willing and able to wear a smartwatch on their dominant hand throughout the study period.

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