Changing Portion Size Descriptions in a Cafeteria

NCT06263621 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 855090
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 101,481
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

The goal of this this intervention is to test the degree to which a portion size labeling intervention influences consumer selection of smaller portions at two large cafés. The main question it aims to answer is: Do consumers order fewer calories when the portion size label for the smaller entree is called "standard" instead of "small"? Participants will order lunch as usual in the two cafes (one intervention, one control) for 5.5 months, and all order items will be recorded in the check-out system. One cafe will receive the labeling intervention, while the other will not. Researchers will compare the average calories per order between the two cafes to see if there are differences.

Conditions

Food Selection; Obesity; Weight Gain; Food Preferences

Keywords

portion size, choice behavior, energy intake, food labeling

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Average kcal per entree sold

  The primary outcome will be the average kcal per entrée purchased.

  Daily sales data for 5.5 months

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Number of entrée units purchased

  Daily sales data for 5.5 months

• Total kcal per transaction

  Daily sales data for 5.5 months

• Weekly gross sales

  Daily sales data for 5.5 months

Study Arms (2)

Intervention "Standard"

EXPERIMENTAL

The smaller entree is labeled "Standard" and the larger entree is labeled "Large."

Behavioral: Intervention "Standard"

Control "Small"

NO INTERVENTION

The smaller entree is labeled "Small" and the larger entree is labeled "Large."

Interventions

Intervention "Standard" BEHAVIORAL

The two cafes will offer entrees in two sizes, a smaller and larger size. In the intervention cafe, the smaller size will be labeled "Standard" during the intervention period, and "Small" during all other times. In the control cafe, the smaller size will always be labeled "Small." The larger size will always be labeled "Large" for both cafes during the duration of the study.

Also known as: "Standard"

Intervention "Standard"

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• All customers who make a lunch purchase at the cafes

You may not qualify if:

• Purchases made outside of lunch service.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Pennsylvania: lead
• Restaurant Associates: collaborator

Study Sites (2)

Courtyard Cafe

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States

Location

Elements Cafe

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Food Preferences; Obesity; Weight Gain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Sophia V Hua, PhD, MPH

  University of Pennsylvania

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Entrees are offered in two different portion sizes at two cafes. The cafes were randomized to either receive the "Standard" portion label for the smaller size (Intervention) or the "Small" portion label for the smaller size (Control). The larger portion was labeled "Large." Daily lunch transaction data will be provided by the cafes.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 8, 2024
• First Posted: February 16, 2024
• Study Start: January 11, 2024
• Primary Completion: May 29, 2024
• Study Completion: May 29, 2024
• Last Updated: July 11, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-07

Locations

US (2)