About this trial
The purpose of this study is to investigate the short-term effects of milk and yogurt of varying fat and protein content on cognitive performance in healthy children aged 9 - 14 years; and to provide insight into mechanisms by which dairy consumption may affect cognitive performance through gastrointestinal (GI) hormone responses. The investigators hypothesize that the consumption of dairy products, specifically their protein and fat components, will improve cognitive performance via its interaction with the gut-brain axis in children. Furthermore, the investigators hypothesize that all milk and yogurt products will enhance cognitive performance over 120- mins compared to snack skipping through its interaction with GI hormones, with a greater effect in higher fat containing milk and yogurt products.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
9 to 14 years of age;
Normal weight is defined as being between the 5th and 85th percentile for age and biological sex at birth according to the Centers for Disease Control growth reference charts
Disqualifiers
Children with overweight/ obesity;
Children with food sensitivities or allergies to dairy, gluten or any foods used in the study;
Children with any diagnosed learning, emotional, or behavioural disabilities;
Children taking any medications that may influence cognitive performance.
Trial design
Crossover
Treatments tested in this trial
Fat-Free Milk
Other interventionFat-free milk (500 mL, skim, 0%, Lactantia PurFiltre) will provide 180 kcal, 0.4 g fat, 26 g carbohydrate, and 18 g protein. Treatments matched for calories (180 kcal).
Low-Fat Milk
Other interventionLow-free milk (346 mL, 2%, Lactantia PurFiltre) will provide 180 kcal, 6.9 g fat, 16.6 g carbohydrate, and 12.5 g protein. Treatments matched for calories (180 kcal).
Full-fat Milk
Other interventionFull-free milk (281 mL, 3.25%, Lactantia PurFiltre) will provide 180 kcal, 9.0 g fat, 13.5 g carbohydrate, and 10.1 g protein. Treatments matched for calories (180 kcal).
Snack Skipping
Other interventionSnack skipping (no caloric contribution).
Fat-Free Yogurt
Other interventionFat-free Yogurt (242.3 g, Oikos High Protein Vanilla; 0% MF) will provide 180 kcal, 0 g fat, 20.8 g carbohydrate, and 23.5 g protein. Treatments matched for calories (180 kcal).
Low-Fat Yogurt
Other interventionLow-fat Yogurt (210.0 g, Oikos Original 2% MF) will provide 180 kcal, 3.6 g fat, 21.6 g carbohydrate, and 15.6 g protein. Treatments matched for calories (180 kcal).
Full-Fat Yogurt
Other interventionFull-fat Yogurt (185.3 g, Oikos Extra Creamy Vanilla 9% MF) will provide 180 kcal, 15.9 g fat, 21.2 g carbohydrate, and 6.4 g protein. Treatments matched for calories (180 kcal).
Treatment groups
7
Treatment groupsSee each treatment group below.
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
Learning and short-term memory
Cognitive performance tests will be administered via a Dell tablet (Millisecond, Inquisit Web) and paper/pen. Learning and short-term memory will be assessed using an immediate and delayed Word Recall Test (accuracy).
Spatial working memory
Cognitive performance tests will be administered via a Dell tablet (Millisecond, Inquisit Web) and paper/pen. Spatial working memory will be assessed using the forward and backward versions of the Corsi Block Test (accuracy).
Sustained Attention
Cognitive performance tests will be administered via a Dell tablet (Millisecond, Inquisit Web) and paper/pen. Sustained attention and processing speed will be assessed using the Continuous Performance Test (CPT) (accuracy).
Executive Function
Cognitive performance tests will be administered via a Dell tablet (Millisecond, Inquisit Web) and paper/pen. Executive function and selective attention will be assessed using the Flanker Task (accuracy)
Secondary outcomes
Subjective mood and emotion
A visual analogue scale (VAS) with twelve questions will be administered to assess subjective emotions and mood (aggression, anger, excitement, disappointment, happiness, upset, frustration, alertness, sadness, tension, calmness, sleepiness, and wellness). Individual questions will be used to form a composite emotion score. Each VAS will be administered via a digital software application (Express VAS, Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on a Dell tablet where children will place an 'X" on the VAS line (100 unit scale) to describe their feelings.
Gastrointestinal Hormone Response
Blood biomarkers will include glucose, insulin, active GLP- 1, and total GIP. Blood samples will be collected via a venous catheter inserted into the participants arm by a Registered Nurse
Sponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Toronto Metropolitan University
Lead sponsor
National Dairy Council
Collaborator
Dairy Management Inc.
Collaborator