Efficacy of Portion Size Measurement Aids

NCT01262768 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 00010835
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Portion size measurement aids (PSMAs) are tools that facilitate the estimation of food servings. The objectives of this study are to determine (a) if food portion size estimation accuracy differs when using a two dimensional (2D) PSMA (actual-size photos called Portion Size Cards) compared to a 3D PSMA (Portion Size Kit) and (b) whether differences exist in the short-term usefulness of and satisfaction with these PSMAs in a sample of parents of overweight children and youth. We hypothesize that the group that receives the 3D PSMAs will be more accurate in food portion size estimation and will be more satisfied with the tool compared to the group that receives the 2D PSMAs.

Conditions

Nutrition Assessment; Obesity

Keywords

Nutrition; Obesity; Parent; Portion Size Estimation; Accuracy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Accuracy of food portion size estimation

  During the initial interview, the subject receives a brief description of the task and is shown pre-estimated rubber food models. The subject then estimates the portion sizes (volumes) of the rubber food models using either 2D or 3D PSMAs.

  At the time of subject interview (single time point)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Acceptability (satisfaction and usefulness) of 2D and 3D PSMAs

  2-4 weeks following the accuracy assessment

Study Arms (2)

2D Portion Size Measurment Aids (PSMAs)

EXPERIMENTAL

The 2D PSMAs are life-size photographs of the 3D PSMAs.

Behavioral: Portion Size Measurement Aids (PSMAs)

3D Portion Size Measurement Aids (PSMAs)

EXPERIMENTAL

The 3D PSMAs include foam rubber replicas of a golf ball, a hockey puck, a tennis ball and a baseball.

Behavioral: Portion Size Measurement Aids (PSMAs)

Interventions

Portion Size Measurement Aids (PSMAs) BEHAVIORAL

Subjects are randomly assigned to receive either 2D or 3D PSMAs to examine accuracy, acceptability and usefulness of the models. Both groups receive brief instructions on the use of the respective PSMAs, complete an accuracy estimation task, and are given the 2D or 3D PSMAs to take home with them to use for 2-4 weeks, after which the researchers telephone parents to complete a brief satisfaction and usefulness survey.

Also known as: 2D Portion Size Measurement Aids (PSMAs), 3D Portion Size Measurement Aids (PSMAs)

2D Portion Size Measurment Aids (PSMAs); 3D Portion Size Measurement Aids (PSMAs)

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Participants must be primary caregivers of children or youth attending a clinical appointment for weight management (clients must have a BMI greater or equal to the 85th percentile at this clinic)
• Participants must be literate and fluent in English

You may not qualify if:

• Any participant who does not meet the above criteria
• Participants must not have had any previous education or resources on food portion sizes at this clinic

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Alberta: lead

Study Sites (1)

Pediatric Centre for Weight and Health- Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre

Edmonton, Alberta, T6K 0L4, Canada

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Obesity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Overweight; Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Geoff DC Ball, PhD, RD

  Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta; Director, Pediatric Centre for Weight and Health

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor, Dept Pediatrics and Director, Pediatric Centre for Weight and Health

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 16, 2010
• First Posted: December 17, 2010
• Study Start: April 1, 2010
• Primary Completion: September 1, 2013
• Study Completion: January 1, 2014
• Last Updated: February 20, 2014

Record last verified: 2014-02

Locations

CA (1)