Intake Promoting Effects of Large Portions in Children

Eating Clinical Trial

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00436878
• Other study ID #: DK71095
• Secondary ID: R01DK071095
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: October 2005
• Est. completion date: April 2011

Study information

• Verified date: July 2018
• Source: Temple University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to test the effects of large food portions on children's eating. Experiment 1 will test the effect of portion size on children's consumption of sweetened beverages; we hypothesize that serving large beverage portions will increase the amount of energy children consume from this food. Experiment 2 will test the effects of portion size on children's intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) affect intake whether such effects are moderated by children's FV preferences and; we hypothesize that serving large fruit and vegetable portions will produce increases in children's intake of these foods, particularly for children who like fruit and vegetables. Experiment 3 will evaluate how food energy density affects children's response to large portions; we hypothesize that large portions will have the greatest influence on children's energy consumption when foods are energy dense. Experiment 4 will begin to address perceptual mechanisms by which large portions affect children's eating.

Description:

The emerging epidemic of overweight among underscores the need to identify contributing environmental factors. Marketplace trends for excessive and growing portion sizes in and outside the home have reinforced concerns that large portions may directly contribute by promoting excessive intake. To date, however, systematic investigation of portion size effects on children's eating has been extremely limited. Two laboratory studies have reported that serving large portions of macaroni and cheese to young children promoted energy consumption at meals. Whether portion size effects would be seen with other foods of varying energy content and preference is unknown. Of particular public health interest is whether serving large portions may affect children's intake of sweetened beverages, fruits and vegetables, and energy dense foods. This study will address these questions using an experimental approach to test the effects of portion size on children's eating.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 100
• Est. completion date: April 2011
• Est. primary completion date: April 2011
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 5 Years to 6 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• 5 to 6 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• severe food allergies

• chronic illnesses or medication use affecting food intake

• dislike of foods on the menu

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Eating

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Food portion size
Each of four experiments involves a 2 x 2 within-subjects factorial design, in which the first factor is the portion size of a food served to children: foods will be served in a reference amount (i.e. 250 g macaroni and cheese) or doubled in size(i.e. 500 g of macaroni and cheese). In the Experiment 1, the second factor of the 2 x 2 design is meal type: whether the food is consumed at a meal or a snack. In experiment #2, the second factor is food type: fruit vs. vegetable. In experiment #3, the second factor is entree energy density: a regular energy density or a 40% greater energy density. In experiment #4, the second factor is plate size: a 6 inch plate vs. a 10 inch plate.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	USDA\ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center	Houston	Texas
United States	Center for Obesity Research, Temple University	Philadelphia	Pennsylvania

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Temple University	National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Intake of portion manipulated foods		In each experimental condition; 4 times in each 2 x 2 factorial experiment
Primary	Total energy consumed		In each experimental condition; 4 times in each 2 x 2 factorial experiment