N/A N=33 Randomized Single-blind Prevention

Young Adult Eating Habits

Eating Behavior · Eating Habit

Bottom Line

View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05550818 ↗

Enrolled (actual)

Serious AEs

0.0%

Results posted

Jan 2026

Primary outcome: Primary: Change in Brain Response From Baseline to 2-weeks Post High UPF or 2 Weeks no UPF Diet — 0.02; 0.13 arbitrary units

Study Design & Population

Study type: Interventional
Phase: N/A
Interventions: High Ultra Processed Food Diet (Other); No Ultra Processed Food Diet (Other)
Age: Adult · 18+ yrs
Sex: All
Sponsor: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Primary completion: Dec 2024

Outcome Measures

Outcome	Result	p-value
PRIMARY Change in Brain Response From Baseline to 2-weeks Post High UPF or 2 Weeks no UPF Diet	0.02; 0.13	—
SECONDARY Change in Energy Intake From 2 Weeks High UPF or 2 Weeks no UPF Diet	—	—
SECONDARY Change in Eating Rate From 2 Weeks High UPF or 2 Weeks no UPF Diet	—	—
SECONDARY Change in Food Items Selected From 2 Weeks High UPF or 2 Weeks no UPF Diet	—	—
SECONDARY Change in Grams of Food Selected From 2 Weeks High UPF or 2 Weeks no UPF Diet	—	—
SECONDARY Change in Amount of Energy (Kcals) Selected From 2 Weeks High UPF or 2 Weeks no UPF Diet	—	—

Summary

Most individuals with obesity become so before age 35 and adolescent's unhealthy dietary patterns, specifically high intake of ultra-processed foods and poor overall diet quality, may contribute to energy overconsumption and weight gain. The overall objective of this research is to establish proof-of-concept for altered reward processing measured by brain response to ultra-processed foods, an increase in ad libitum energy intake, and adverse effects on executive function in response to an ultra-processed diet (81% total energy) compared to a diet emphasizing minimally processed foods in individuals aged 18-25 years.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Age 18-25 years
Weight stable (+5 lbs) for previous 6 months
No plans to gain/lose weight or change physical activity level
Willing to pick up food daily and consume foods provided for two 14-day periods
Verbal and written informed consent
Unrestrained eater (TFEQ cognitive restraint score 3 months at time of study

Exclusion Criteria

BMI >30 kg/m2
Endocrine disorders or other major chronic disease (e.g., type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypertension)
Pregnant or plans to become pregnant
Food allergies or aversions
Claustrophobia
History of head injury with loss of consciousness for more than 10 minutes
Contraindications to MRI: individuals with pacemaker, aneurysm clips, neurostimulators, cochlear implants, metal in eyes, steel worker, or other implants.

View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05550818). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.