Increasing Availability of Lower Energy Meals on Food Choice and Intake

University of Liverpool

Status

Completed

Conditions

Food Selection

Eating Behavior

Obesity

Diet, Healthy

Treatments

Other: Manipulation of availability of lower energy meal options

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT04893213

8710 Ready Meal Menu Study

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will examine the effectiveness of a structural intervention (baseline proportion of lower energy ready meals vs increased proportion of lower energy ready meals) on calories (kcal) ordered and consumed. The study will use a within-subjects design, meaning all participants will be exposed to both conditions (baseline vs increased lower energy meal menus). The procedure will involve participants placing orders for supermarket ready meals, which are then delivered to their homes for their consumption. This study will also investigate whether the effectiveness of the intervention varies, depending on socioeconomic position (SEP). The primary hypothesis is that increasing proportion of lower energy options will decrease total kcal ordered and consumed, and that there will be no difference between higher and lower SEP. To address the limited evidence on longer term impacts of dietary interventions on daily energy intake, the present study will also examine post-meal energy consumption up to midnight on the following day. Finally, this study will explore the psychological processes that might underlie the effectiveness of the intervention among individuals with higher and lower SEP; namely, food choice motives, satiety responsiveness, plate clearing tendencies, and food waste concerns.

Full description

See attached protocol documents.

Enrollment

80 patients

Sex

All

Ages

18+ years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

UK (United Kingdom) residents, aged 18 or over
Fluent in English
Have access to a phone/tablet/computer device which has access to Internet and a functioning camera
Willing to consume two supermarket ready meals
Have access to a functioning microwave and oven for the preparation of the ready meals

Exclusion criteria

Taking part more than once
Another member of the same household has participated in the study (Multiple members of the same household will not be allowed to take part)
Current or historic diagnosed eating disorders
Currently on any medication which affects appetite
Any of the following dietary restrictions, intolerances, or allergies (Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy/lactose-free, food allergy - such as milk, eggs, nut, wheat, fish, etc)
History of severe childhood allergies, anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock