NCT02048774

Brief Summary

Obesity is often cited as being inversely related with socioeconomic status (SES), although the mechanisms linking social status with obesity are not well understood. Dietary restraint, physical activity, and social mobility have been proposed as possible mechanisms. Although there is some evidence of SES variation in the proposed mechanisms, evidence is mixed and mostly observational. The purpose of this research is to determine if one's social position influences eating behaviors. This study will attempt to determine this using a randomized, 2 parallel arm trial to determine the effects that social hierarchy positioning has on energy intake. To prevent compromise in the integrity of data, the investigators will detail the exact treatment condition (i.e., social positioning) after the data collection period. Based on findings from previous animal and large clinical observational studies, there are two complementary hypotheses tested in this study. First, it is hypothesized that being in a lower social position affects one's perception of food availability by making the future availability of food seem less certain. This uncertainty will lead to increased food consumption. Second, it is hypothesized that being in a position of power will lower one's food consumption, as previous research has found that individuals in power tend to east less in groups. Understanding how social position influences food intake could help improve weight loss/maintenance interventions by identifying unexpected factors that could limit the intervention's effectiveness.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
58

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Feb 2014

Typical duration 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

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 27, 2014

Completed
2 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 29, 2014

Completed
3 days until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

February 1, 2014

Completed
1.8 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

December 1, 2015

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

December 1, 2015

Completed
Last Updated

January 26, 2016

Status Verified

January 1, 2016

Enrollment Period

1.8 years

First QC Date

January 27, 2014

Last Update Submit

January 25, 2016

Conditions

Socioeconomic StatusFood Intake

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Amount of Calories Selected and Consumed After Receiving Designation of Social Position

    1 hour after start of study

Study Arms (2)

High Social Position

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The investigators will randomly assign a participant to a higher social position.

Behavioral: Designation of Social Positioning

Low Social Position

EXPERIMENTAL

The investigators will randomly assign a participant to a lower social position.

Behavioral: Designation of Social Positioning

Interventions

Designation of Social PositioningBEHAVIORAL
High Social PositionLow Social Position

Eligibility Criteria

Age19 Years - 25 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Male and female college student between the ages of 19 and 25

You may not qualify if:

  • Those with food allergies
  • Pregnant individuals

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

UAB School of Health Professions; Webb Building Rooms 503 and 504

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Location

Study Officials

  • Gregory Pavela, PhD

    Postdoctoral Trainee, University of Alabama at Birmingham

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

  • Dwight Lewis, PhD

    Postdoctoral Trainee, University of Alabama at Birmingham

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

  • David B Allison, PhD

    Associate Dean for Science, University of Alabama at Birmingham

    STUDY DIRECTOR

  • Brian Wansink, PhD

    Professor, Cornell University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

  • Emily J Dhurandhar, PhD

    Assistant Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

  • John Dawson, PhD

    Postdoctoral Trainee, University of Alabama at Birmingham

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

  • Madeline Jeansonne, MA

    Program Coordinator 1, University of Alabama at Birmingham

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Postdoctoral Trainee

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 27, 2014

First Posted

January 29, 2014

Study Start

February 1, 2014

Primary Completion

December 1, 2015

Study Completion

December 1, 2015

Last Updated

January 26, 2016

Record last verified: 2016-01

Locations

US(1)