SSS and the Impact of Portion Size on Daily Energy Intake

Obesity Clinical Trial

Official title:

Subjective Social Status and the Effect of Portion Size Reduction: a 1-day Dietary Behaviour Experimental Study

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT05399836
• Other study ID #: 803194 SSS PSE
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: May 30, 2022
• Est. completion date: October 12, 2022

Study information

• Verified date: January 2023
• Source: University of Liverpool
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

Reducing food portion size is a potential strategy to reduce energy intake. However, it remains unclear who is most susceptible to the portion size effect (PSE). There are just two studies which have examined the PSE in the context of socioeconomic position (SEP), with mixed findings. In an online trial the PSE on intended consumption of unhealthy snacks was 18-24% larger for participants of lower SEP compared to participants of higher SEP. However, in a recent laboratory study which examined the PSE on total daily energy intake, participants of lower SEP were no more susceptible to the influence of portion size on eating behaviour than participants of higher SEP. Further research is required to elucidate these divergent findings.

There is also an absence of evidence examining the moderating role of subjective social status (SSS) - an individual's perceived standing in society - on the PSE. Given evidence that the subjective experience of social class may be associated with health outcomes, the present study examines whether reductions to the portion size reduces daily energy intake, and whether and how SSS (higher vs lower) moderates the PSE.

In a crossover experiment, participants will be served all meals in the lab on two separate days, with the portion size of main components at breakfast, lunch and dinner manipulated (i.e. smaller on one day vs larger on the other day). All other foods offered are identical. Food intake from the portion-manipulated breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as all other meal components (non-portion-manipulated sides, dessert, seconds, snacks, etc.) will be measured, to assess total daily energy intake (kcal).

Description:

See Study Protocol attached.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 47
• Est. completion date: October 12, 2022
• Est. primary completion date: October 12, 2022
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Female
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female

• UK (United Kingdom) residents, able to visit laboratory in Liverpool

• Aged 18 or over

• Fluent in English

• willing to consume the test foods

• Self report willingness to eat test foods

• BMI between 18.5 - 32.5kg2

Exclusion Criteria:

• participation in our previous study

• food allergies, intolerances or specific dietary requirements (except vegetarian)

• taking medication which affects appetite

• currently pregnant

• history of eating disorders

• currently on a diet to lose weight

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Diet, Healthy
• Eating Behavior
• Obesity

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Portion size manipulation
The intervention will be administered via changing portion sizes of foods served to participants.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United Kingdom	University of Liverpool	Liverpool

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Liverpool	European Research Council

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United Kingdom, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Daily energy intake	Total energy (kcal) consumed from breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, snackbox, and any self-reported additional foods.	Time Frame: 24 hours after intervention administered
Secondary	Energy intake from portion-manipulated foods	Total energy (kcal) consumed from portion-manipulated foods at breakfast, lunch, and dinner	Time Frame: 24 hours after intervention administered
Secondary	Energy intake from non portion-manipulated foods	Total energy (kcal) consumed from other foods (no portion-manipulation) at breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and self-reported foods.	Time Frame: 24 hours after intervention administered