Research

• Naiman A. Khan, PhD & RD
• Kevin A. Richards, PhD
• Christopher J. Kinder, PhD
• Krystal Hodge, PhD
• Jessica A. Madson, PhD & RD
• Shelby Keye, PhD
• Ru Liu, PhD & RD

This study is a multi-functional integrated research and education project to prevent losses in academic achievement, cognitive function, and behavioral health among at-risk youth. To prevent summer learning loss, we integrate research to test the effects of an 8-week nutrition and physical activity-based program (Integrated Childhood Activity and Nutrition or ICAN).  The proposal directly integrates research and education by training and utilizing undergraduate and graduate students to administer the ICAN program within a social-emotional learning (SEL) framework.

In the research domain, we will test the effects of an 8-week nutrition and physical activity-based program on outcomes of standardized academic achievement and executive function among 6-10-year-olds affected by poverty. The nutrition component of the intervention will involve daily consumption of a snack containing the carotenoid lutein, typically found in high quantities in green leafy vegetables. The physical activity components will include group games or activities.

Within the education domain, we will rely on University of Illinois graduate students in pursuing future careers in Nutrition, Dietetics, Kinesiology, Physical Education, and Community Health to assist in the implementation of a SEL-based curriculum targeted to improving lifestyle factors as well as reducing the risk for obesity among children affected by poverty as well as healthy nutrition and physical literacy. 

Academic Achievement: The third edition of the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement (KTEA-3) will be administered to assess academic achievement. The primary academic achievement outcomes will be the composite Academic Skills Battery which aggregates performance on the subtests of Math Concepts & Applications, Letter & Word Recognition, Written Expression, Math Computation, Spelling, and Reading Comprehension.

Cognitive Function: A modified Eriksen flanker paradigm will be used to assess cognitive control. The flanker task measures the ability for selective attention and has two conditions that vary the amount of inhibitory control. This task requires the discrimination of a centrally presented target stimulus amid lateral flanking stimuli. The primary behavioral performance outcomes are accuracy and reaction time. Electroencephalogram activity (EEG) will be collected during the flanker task. A 64-channel Neuroscan Synamps 2 amplifier (Compumedics, Inc, Charlotte, NC) will be used to record EEG activity in response to the cognitive tasks described above from 64 electrode sites arranged in a montage based on the International 10-10 system using a Neuroscan Quik-cap (Compumedics, Inc, Charlotte, NC)73. The P3, a neural electric marker of attentional abilities, will be evaluated as the mean amplitude within a 50 ms interval surrounding the largest positive going peak within a 300 – 700 ms latency window. Peak latency will be defined as the time corresponding to the maximum peak amplitude.

Macular Carotenoids: MPOD will be measured using a customized Heterochromatic Flicker Photometry (cHFP) technique and administered using a macular densitometer (Macular Metrics Corporation, Rehoboth, MA, USA). This technique has been described previously. Briefly, HFP is accomplished by viewing a small circular stimulus that alternates between a test wavelength that is absorbed by the macular pigment (shortwave/blue light, 460 nm) and a reference wavelength that is not absorbed (longwave/green light, 540 nm). The flicker observed by the participant is reduced to a null point by adjusting the intensity of the shortwave light while viewing the stimulus centrally and then peripherally. The MPOD at the test wavelength is calculated as log (central/peripheral). Our team has published on the reliability of this technique and linked MPOD assessed via HFP to academics and cognition in children.

Physical Fitness: FitnessGram assessments will be used to measure the physical fitness of iCANS participants. Cardiorespiratory fitness will be assessed with the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) test, a multistage field-based test of aerobic capacity and useful for large groups. Cardiorespiratory fitness will be assessed with the PACER test, a multistage field-based test of aerobic capacity and useful for large groups. Muscular strength, endurance and flexibility will be measured using the abdominal curl up and trunk extensor lift, and the sit and reach. All scores will be converted into three levels (i.e., healthy zone, needs improvement, or health risk) using criterion-referenced standards.

Habitual Dietary Intake: Dietary intake prior to and during the final week of the program will be measured using a 7-day food record/log. Parents of the children will be instructed by trained staff on how to complete the diet records on behalf of their children. In addition, the record will contain written instructions for recording food intake, including how to describe food-preparation methods, added fats, brand names, and ingredients of mixed dishes and recipes. Trained staff under supervision by a registered dietitian will enter food records into the Nutrition Data SystemsResearch Version 2023 (Nutrition Coordinating Center, University of Minnesota) software. The primary variables derived from the food records will be the Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2015). This methodology has been previously utilized by the PI (Khan) among child participants studies.

Plate Waste: We will directly measure breakfast and lunch consumption using a previously validated photography-assisted plate waste assessment technique during the program participation over the first and last 5 days of the program. Briefly, the methodology involves taking a photograph of each participant’s tray immediately following item selection and after meal completion in the cafeteria. Items that remain on the tray i.e., plate waste is assessed by weighing each item. Post hoc analyses involve relying on the weight data for food items not consumed to calculate the nutritional intake of the participants. The information collected will complement the habitual dietary data provided by parents while providing a direct measure of intake among participants and insights into overall plate waste. Dr. Khan (PI) has previously utilized and published data using this plate waste assessment approach among elementary school children.

Physical Activity Assessment: Participants will also be asked to wear an accelerometer to assess habitual physical activity prior to starting the program and during the final 7 days of the program. Physical activity will be measured using a triaxial wGT3X+ accelerometer (ActiGraph LLC., Pensacola, FL, USA) placed on the waist at the right anterior axillary line on an elastic belt. ActiLife software (ActiGraph LLC) will be used to calculate time spent in physical activity intensities (min/day); VPA, MPA, and MVPA were defined using Evenson cut-points. We will also compute the frequency and time spent in physical activity bouts per day. Bouts will be classified as engaging in continuous durations of ≥10 s and ≥30 seconds in a single PA intensity.

Weight Status and Adiposity: Height and weight will be measured using a stadiometer and digital weighing scale (Seca Corporation [model 769], Hanover, MD). Body Mass Index (BMI, kg/m²) for-age-percentile cut-offs from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be used to classify children’s weight status85. Whole body adiposity (%Fat) will be measured using BIA (InBody 270: Biospace, California, USA).

For specific questions related to research being collected, please contact:

Dr. Christopher J. Kinder, PhD (ckinder3@illinois.edu)

Dr. Naiman A. Khan, PhD & RD (nakhan2@illinois.edu)