NCT01948752

Brief Summary

The current study sought to examine the effect of menu labeling on food ordering and food consumption, including the effect of displaying calories along with other nutrients, such as sodium, fat, and sugar, as well as in different formats, such as traffic lights. The investigators hypothesize significant differences in the calorie amount of menu selections and food consumption across experimental conditions. The investigators anticipate that calorie amounts will be significantly higher in the no calorie information) compared to each of the other 3 conditions, and significantly lower in the Traffic Light conditions compared to calories only condition. 2\) Individuals in Condition 1 (no calorie information) will be significantly more likely to underestimate the calorie content of their meals compared to individuals in the intervention conditions.

Trial Health

80
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
661

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

November 1, 2010

Completed
7 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 1, 2011

Completed
1.9 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

April 17, 2013

Completed
5 months until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

September 24, 2013

Completed
Last Updated

September 24, 2013

Status Verified

September 1, 2013

Enrollment Period

7 months

First QC Date

April 17, 2013

Last Update Submit

September 18, 2013

Conditions

Keywords

Nutrition policyfood labellingdietobesityhealth behavior

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Calorie consumption.

    Participants consumed the food during the study visit, after ordering from the menus and completing survey measures. The calorie content of all food and beverage items ordered by each participant was calculated immediate after the study session using information provided by Subway. All items were weighed immediately prior to delivery to participants. After participants indicated that their meal was completed, research assistants collected and weighed any leftover food or beverage portions. A consumption variable was calculated for calorie, fat, sodium, and sugar consumption for each participant by subtracting the estimated number of calories in food and beverage waste from the total for the meal, based on differences in weight. No measures were collected after the study visit.

    Calorie consumption was recorded for the meal consumed during the visit to the laboratory, approximately 30 minutes after the start of the study. No additional follow-up was conducted after the laboratory visit.

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Calorie content of meals ordered by participants.

    Calorie content was recorded for the meal consumed during the visit to the laboratory, approximately 30 minutes after the start of the study. No additional follow-up was conducted after the laboratory visit.

Study Arms (4)

Menu - no nutrition information (control)

NO INTERVENTION

Participants were randomized to receive one of four menus that each contained different type of nutrition information. This condition included a "normal" menu with no nutrition information.

Calorie labels

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants were randomized to receive one of four menus that each contained different type of nutrition information. This condition included menus with the calorie amounts displayed.

Other: Nutrition information on menus

Calorie Traffic Light

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants were randomized to receive one of four menus that each contained different type of nutrition information. This condition included menus with calorie amounts in green/amber/red "traffic lights" to signify low/medium/high amounts.

Other: Nutrition information on menus

Multi-Traffic Light

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants were randomized to receive one of four menus that each contained different type of nutrition information. This condition included menus with calorie amounts as well as sodium, fat, and sugar amounts in green/amber/red "traffic lights" to signify low/medium/high amounts.

Other: Nutrition information on menus

Interventions

Calorie Traffic LightCalorie labelsMulti-Traffic Light

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • years of age or older,
  • able to speak and read English

You may not qualify if:

  • \- no food allergies to gluten or other grain products

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

School of Public Health, University of Waterloo

Waterloo, Ontario, N2L3G1, Canada

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Hammond D, Goodman S, Hanning R, Daniel S. A randomized trial of calorie labeling on menus. Prev Med. 2013 Dec;57(6):860-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.09.020. Epub 2013 Oct 7.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

ObesityHealth Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

OverweightOvernutritionNutrition DisordersNutritional and Metabolic DiseasesBody WeightSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsBehavior

Study Officials

  • David Hammond, PhD

    University of Waterloo

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
NON RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT
Purpose
PREVENTION
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

April 17, 2013

First Posted

September 24, 2013

Study Start

November 1, 2010

Primary Completion

June 1, 2011

Last Updated

September 24, 2013

Record last verified: 2013-09

Locations