What to Eat for Lunch? A Pilot Study to Improve Healthier Eating at Work

NCT01674751 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: HN 4262
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 31
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This pilot study will test the feasibility and potential effectiveness of a novel approach to improve food choices by employees about what to eat for lunch. The intervention involves the testing of an on-line pre-ordering food program with nutritional information linked to a hospital cafeteria. In this study, the investigators use positive reinforcement of feedback and price discounts during the intervention phase, and then withdraw those components in order to assess the potential for changes to be retained after the study is over. The study draws on principles from the field of behavioral economics and behavioral change. The investigators test the effectiveness of the intervention with 30 employees (study participants) who are overweight or obese. Based on a recent screening of over 5600 Einstein employees, 66% of those screened were identified as either overweight or obese. There are 3 phases to the trial: baseline (P1), 4 week intervention, (P2) and tapering (intervention without reinforcement) (P3). Participants are randomized to one of two groups (intervention and wait-listed controls). Our primary hypotheses are that:

1. 1.Participants will purchase lunches with fewer calories during the intervention compared to baseline.
2. 2.Participants will purchases lunches with fewer calories in the tapering phase compared to baseline.

Conditions

Dietary Habits

Keywords

pre-ordering; healthy eating; mindfulness; incentives; employees

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Total number of calories

  The average number of calories (Kcal) purchased for lunch.

  Participants are followed for a minimum of 12 weeks and the total calories from their lunchtime meals are recorded daily.

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Total number of calories from fat

  Participants are followed for a minimum of 12 weeks and the total calories from fat in their lunchtime meals are recorded daily.

• Participant adherence

  Participants are followed for a minimum of 12 weeks

• Participant body weight (kg)

  Recorded at the time of recruitment into the study and again following the 8 week intervention

• Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

  Measured at the time of recruitment into the study and again following the 8 week intervention

• Cholesterol subfractions

  Measured at the time of recruitment into the study and again following the 8 week intervention

Study Arms (2)

Immediate intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Group begins the 4 week Pre-Ordering Program intervention immediately following a 4-wk baseline period.

Other: Pre-ordering program

Wait-listed control

OTHER

Group begins the 4 week Pre-Ordering Program intervention following an 8-wk baseline period.

Other: Pre-ordering program

Interventions

Pre-ordering program OTHER

During the 4 week intervention phase, participants use the pre-ordering program, receive a novel, "smart receipt" upon checkout that will detail the caloric and fat content of what they ordered, and receive price discounts for select low calorie and low fat items. The pre-ordering system is designed to provide the opportunity for the individual to see what is available along with nutritional information and to make a selection ahead of time.

Immediate intervention; Wait-listed control

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Interested in improving their food choices as it relates to healthier eating and weight loss
• Adult employee at large, urban hospital in Philadelphia at which study is being conducted
• Eats at least 4 lunch meals a week at study cafeteria
• BMI greater than or equal to 25.0 (based on standard classification).
• Willingness to allow researchers to collect data about their lunch purchases
• Willingness to "swipe" their employee card for lunch purchases during the study
• Access to a computer at work
• Capable of providing informed consent
• Has a way of being contacted by telephone, email, fax, or receiving a text message

You may not qualify if:

• Planning to terminate hospital employment within the next 4 months
• Individuals unable to consent
• Individuals who are not yet adults
• Employees who are pregnant
• Employees with hypertension, dyslipidemia or coronary artery disease whose medical therapy has changed in the past 3 months.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Albert Einstein Healthcare Network: lead
• Aramark Healthcare: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Albert Einstein Healthcare Network

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19141, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Feeding Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior, Animal; Behavior

Study Officials

• Etienne J Phipps, PhD

  Albert Einstein Healthcare Network

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Director Einstein Urban Health

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 30, 2012
• First Posted: August 29, 2012
• Study Start: June 1, 2012
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2012
• Study Completion: December 1, 2013
• Last Updated: February 24, 2014

Record last verified: 2012-08

Locations

US (1)