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Development of eating behaviors in early childhood logo
Pregnancy Eating Attributes Study logo

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens at the in-person assessments?

You will come to UNC one time each year, for about an hour and a half.Your child will take part in activities that measure aspects of their eating behavior. For example, your child will be asked look at pictures of food while a camera measures their eye movements. At one of the assessments, your child will be videotaped while eating a meal. At another time, they will be asked to taste and rate some foods. We will also take their height and weight each time. You will complete questionnaires on a tablet and a 24-hour recall of your child’s food intake. We will also take your weight. After the visit, we will also ask you to complete a second 24-hour recall of your child's food intake and a questionnaire about the food in your home.

What is the camera that measures my child's eye movements?

We want to know what foods and objects children pay attention to. We use a camera on top of a computer screen to take photos of your child's eyes as they look at age appropriate images of food, pets, and landscapes. You child will be asked to sit quietly and watch computer screen, similar to watching a television, computer, or tablet at home.

Tell me more about the questionnaires.

Self-report questionnaires will be collected through this website, and you will be able to complete almost all of them at the study visit using a secure connection. Questionnaires will ask about your experiences feeding your child, your perceptions of your child's eating behaviors, and what types of foods are available at home. Please click Survey Instructions for help with the questionnaires.

Will you collect any samples?

We will collect saliva from your child one time.

Will the child's other parent participate in the study too?

For children with two parents, we would like to invite both parents to participate. This may be your spouse or partner, or the child's parent in another home if the child stays with them regularly. The second parent will be asked to come to UNC just one time, to complete questionnaires and have their height and weight measured. Their participation is not required for you and your child to be in the study.

Will I be compensated for my time?

Yes! You will receive $80 compensation for each of the in-person visits, and $40 for each of the at-home assessments (24-hour recall and home food questionnaire). In addition, you will receive a $25 bonus for completing all three in-person visits. If the child’s other parent participates, they will receive $75 compensation for their in-person visit.

Will it cost me anything to be in the study?

It will not cost you anything to be in this study.

How is my privacy protected?

Detailed information about how your privacy and the confidentiality of your data are protected if you participate in this study are provided to you on your consent form. Your data and specimens are identified only by an ID number that contains no personal identifying information. Only your clinical site has access to your personal information and it is kept in a secure location. The data collected in this study will be analyzed and reported collectively and will never be reported in a way that could identify you.

How can I ask questions or ask for help?

Email us at peas@unc.edu or call us at 919-966-8962. We generally respond to emails within 24 hours during the workweek.