Health Behavior
Conditions
Brief summary
The goal of this study is to examine attention elicited by icon, text-only, and control front-of-package food labels. The study also aims to explore whether English language proficiency moderates the impact of icon vs. text-only labels on attention.
Detailed description
In this study, participants will attend one in-person visit, lasting approximately 15 minutes after signing informed consent. First participants will complete an eye tracking task where their attention to study stimuli is measured objectively via an eye tracker (i.e., eye tracking task). The eye tracking task will take \ 5 minutes. Then, participants will complete a brief \ 10 minute self-administered survey on a computer.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALText only sodium label
Warning: High in sodium. is shown in a black square label on the can of soup.
BEHAVIORALIcon sodium label
Warning: High in sodium. is shown beneath a yellow triangle icon with an exclamation mark all in a black square label on the can of soup.
BEHAVIORALPictorial sodium label
Warning: High in sodium. is shown beneath an image of a spilled salt shaker, all in a black square label on the can of soup.
BEHAVIORALBarcode label
Barcode is shown in white square label on the can of soup
Sponsors
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
All participants will see the same 4 labels (3 sodium labels \[text only, text + icon, and text + pictorial\] and a control bar code label) in a random order.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 99 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Adult aged 18 or older * Self-identifies as Hispanic or Latino
Exclusion criteria
* Less than 18 years old * Does not identify as Hispanic or Latino * Has one of the following conditions: (Wears bifocals, glaucoma, permanently dilated pupils, eye implants \[artificial lenses, not contact lenses\], less than 2 eyes, or blindness)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Amount of Time Spent Looking at the Front-of-package Sodium Label (i.e., Dwell Time) | During ~5-minute eye tracking task, as part of a one-time study visit lasting ~30 minutes | This outcome will be measured using eye tracking technology. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Times Looking at the Front-of-package Sodium Label (i.e., Fixation Count) | During ~5-minute eye tracking task, as part of a one-time study visit lasting ~30 minutes | This outcome will be measured using eye tracking technology. |
| Time to First Fixation on the Front-of-package Sodium Label | During ~5-minute eye tracking task, as part of a one-time study visit lasting ~30 minutes | This outcome will be measured using eye tracking technology. |
| Dwell Time on Natural Claim | During ~5-minute eye tracking task, as part of a one-time study visit lasting ~30 minutes | This outcome will be measured using eye tracking technology. |
| Self-reported Attention to the Front-of-package Sodium Label | During ~10 minute online survey, as part of one-time study visit lasting ~30 minutes | Assessed with 1 item for each label type. Response options will range from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate more attention. |
| Perceived Message Effectiveness of the Front-of-package Sodium Label | During ~10 minute online survey, as part of one-time study visit lasting ~30 minutes | Assessed with 3 items for each label type. Response options will range from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate greater perceived message effectiveness. |
| Understandability of Front-of-package Sodium Label | During ~10 minute online survey, as part of one-time study visit lasting ~30 minutes | 1 item for each label type. Response options will range from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate more understandability. |
Countries
United States
Participant flow
Participants by arm
| Arm | Count |
|---|---|
| Front of Package Food Label 4 labels (3 sodium labels, 1 control barcode label) are shown on an image of a soup can
Text only sodium label: Warning: High in sodium. is shown in a black square label on the can of soup.
Icon sodium label: Warning: High in sodium. is shown beneath a yellow triangle icon with an exclamation mark all in a black square label on the can of soup.
Pictorial sodium label: Warning: High in sodium. is shown beneath an image of a spilled salt shaker, all in a black square label on the can of soup.
Barcode label: Barcode is shown in white square label on the can of soup | 63 |
| Total | 63 |
Baseline characteristics
| Characteristic | Front of Package Food Label |
|---|---|
| Age, Continuous | 34 years STANDARD_DEVIATION 10 |
| Age, Customized Age categories 18-25 years | 11 Participants |
| Age, Customized Age categories 26-34 years | 22 Participants |
| Age, Customized Age categories 35-44 years | 20 Participants |
| Age, Customized Age categories 45-54 years | 8 Participants |
| Age, Customized Age categories Over 55 years | 2 Participants |
| Race/Ethnicity, Customized Ethnicity Another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin | 34 Participants |
| Race/Ethnicity, Customized Ethnicity Cuban | 0 Participants |
| Race/Ethnicity, Customized Ethnicity Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano | 24 Participants |
| Race/Ethnicity, Customized Ethnicity Puerto Rican | 5 Participants |
| Region of Enrollment United States | 63 Participants |
| Sex/Gender, Customized Gender identity Man | 15 Participants |
| Sex/Gender, Customized Gender identity Non-binary | 0 Participants |
| Sex/Gender, Customized Gender identity Woman | 47 Participants |
Adverse events
| Event type | EG000 affected / at risk | EG001 affected / at risk | EG002 affected / at risk | EG003 affected / at risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| deaths Total, all-cause mortality | 0 / 63 | 0 / 63 | 0 / 63 | 0 / 63 |
| other Total, other adverse events | 0 / 63 | 0 / 63 | 0 / 63 | 0 / 63 |
| serious Total, serious adverse events | 0 / 63 | 0 / 63 | 0 / 63 | 0 / 63 |
Outcome results
Primary
Amount of Time Spent Looking at the Front-of-package Sodium Label (i.e., Dwell Time)
This outcome will be measured using eye tracking technology.
Time frame: During ~5-minute eye tracking task, as part of a one-time study visit lasting ~30 minutes
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front of Package Food Label | Amount of Time Spent Looking at the Front-of-package Sodium Label (i.e., Dwell Time) | Barcode Control | .96 seconds | Standard Deviation 0.88 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Amount of Time Spent Looking at the Front-of-package Sodium Label (i.e., Dwell Time) | Text | 1.94 seconds | Standard Deviation 1.23 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Amount of Time Spent Looking at the Front-of-package Sodium Label (i.e., Dwell Time) | Icon | 2.34 seconds | Standard Deviation 2.43 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Amount of Time Spent Looking at the Front-of-package Sodium Label (i.e., Dwell Time) | Graphic | 2.58 seconds | Standard Deviation 1.53 |
Comparison: Text vs. Controlp-value: <0.001Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Icon vs. Controlp-value: <0.001Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Controlp-value: <0.001Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Icon vs. Textp-value: 0.1Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Textp-value: 0.01Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Iconp-value: 0.25Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary
Dwell Time on Natural Claim
This outcome will be measured using eye tracking technology.
Time frame: During ~5-minute eye tracking task, as part of a one-time study visit lasting ~30 minutes
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front of Package Food Label | Dwell Time on Natural Claim | Text | .91 seconds | Standard Deviation 1 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Dwell Time on Natural Claim | Barcode Control | .90 seconds | Standard Deviation 0.96 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Dwell Time on Natural Claim | Icon | .87 seconds | Standard Deviation 0.87 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Dwell Time on Natural Claim | Graphic | .74 seconds | Standard Deviation 0.78 |
Comparison: Text vs. Controlp-value: >0.99Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Icon vs. Controlp-value: >0.99Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Controlp-value: 0.47Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Icon vs. Textp-value: >0.99Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Textp-value: 0.45Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Iconp-value: 0.7Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary
Number of Times Looking at the Front-of-package Sodium Label (i.e., Fixation Count)
This outcome will be measured using eye tracking technology.
Time frame: During ~5-minute eye tracking task, as part of a one-time study visit lasting ~30 minutes
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front of Package Food Label | Number of Times Looking at the Front-of-package Sodium Label (i.e., Fixation Count) | Barcode Control | 5 fixation | Standard Deviation 4 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Number of Times Looking at the Front-of-package Sodium Label (i.e., Fixation Count) | Text | 9 fixation | Standard Deviation 5 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Number of Times Looking at the Front-of-package Sodium Label (i.e., Fixation Count) | Icon | 11 fixation | Standard Deviation 8 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Number of Times Looking at the Front-of-package Sodium Label (i.e., Fixation Count) | Graphic | 13 fixation | Standard Deviation 6 |
Comparison: Icon vs. Textp-value: 0.12Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Text vs. Controlp-value: <0.001Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Icon vs. Controlp-value: <0.001Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Controlp-value: <0.001Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Textp-value: <0.001Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Iconp-value: 0.04Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary
Perceived Message Effectiveness of the Front-of-package Sodium Label
Assessed with 3 items for each label type. Response options will range from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate greater perceived message effectiveness.
Time frame: During ~10 minute online survey, as part of one-time study visit lasting ~30 minutes
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front of Package Food Label | Perceived Message Effectiveness of the Front-of-package Sodium Label | Barcode Control | 1.74 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 0.98 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Perceived Message Effectiveness of the Front-of-package Sodium Label | Text | 3.47 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 1.01 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Perceived Message Effectiveness of the Front-of-package Sodium Label | Icon | 4.13 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 0.91 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Perceived Message Effectiveness of the Front-of-package Sodium Label | Graphic | 3.85 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 0.94 |
Comparison: Text vs. Controlp-value: <0.001Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Icon vs. Controlp-value: <0.001Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Controlp-value: <0.001Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Icon vs. Textp-value: <0.001Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Textp-value: 0.01Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Iconp-value: 0.04Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary
Self-reported Attention to the Front-of-package Sodium Label
Assessed with 1 item for each label type. Response options will range from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate more attention.
Time frame: During ~10 minute online survey, as part of one-time study visit lasting ~30 minutes
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front of Package Food Label | Self-reported Attention to the Front-of-package Sodium Label | Barcode Control | 2.40 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 1.2 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Self-reported Attention to the Front-of-package Sodium Label | Text | 3.29 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 0.96 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Self-reported Attention to the Front-of-package Sodium Label | Icon | 4.16 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 1.02 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Self-reported Attention to the Front-of-package Sodium Label | Graphic | 4.10 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 0.93 |
Comparison: Text vs. Controlp-value: <0.001Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Icon vs. Controlp-value: <0.001Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Controlp-value: <0.001Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Icon vs. Textp-value: <0.001Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Textp-value: <0.001Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Iconp-value: 0.72Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary
Time to First Fixation on the Front-of-package Sodium Label
This outcome will be measured using eye tracking technology.
Time frame: During ~5-minute eye tracking task, as part of a one-time study visit lasting ~30 minutes
Population: There were missing data for 1 participant.
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front of Package Food Label | Time to First Fixation on the Front-of-package Sodium Label | Graphic | .27 seconds | Standard Deviation 0.36 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Time to First Fixation on the Front-of-package Sodium Label | Barcode Control | .87 seconds | Standard Deviation 1.6 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Time to First Fixation on the Front-of-package Sodium Label | Text | .31 seconds | Standard Deviation 0.45 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Time to First Fixation on the Front-of-package Sodium Label | Icon | .52 seconds | Standard Deviation 1.3 |
Comparison: Text vs. Controlp-value: 0.01Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Icon vs. Controlp-value: 0.23Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Controlp-value: 0.01Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Icon vs. Textp-value: 0.58Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Textp-value: 0.85Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Iconp-value: 0.58Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary
Understandability of Front-of-package Sodium Label
1 item for each label type. Response options will range from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate more understandability.
Time frame: During ~10 minute online survey, as part of one-time study visit lasting ~30 minutes
| Arm | Measure | Group | Value (MEAN) | Dispersion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front of Package Food Label | Understandability of Front-of-package Sodium Label | Barcode Control | 3.41 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 1.23 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Understandability of Front-of-package Sodium Label | Text | 4.00 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 0.93 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Understandability of Front-of-package Sodium Label | Icon | 4.22 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 0.87 |
| Front of Package Food Label | Understandability of Front-of-package Sodium Label | Graphic | 4.13 score on a scale | Standard Deviation 0.98 |
Comparison: Text vs. Controlp-value: <0.001Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Icon vs. Controlp-value: <0.001Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Controlp-value: <0.001Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Icon vs. Textp-value: 0.43Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Textp-value: 0.81Mixed Models Analysis
Comparison: Graphic vs. Iconp-value: 0.81Mixed Models Analysis