Eating Behavior, Obesity
Conditions
Brief summary
The present study aims to investigate whether energy intake is reduced when participants consume a reduced portion size (15% compared to the 'control' portion), and also to see whether awareness of this reduction affects energy intake.
Detailed description
In the present study, all participants will participate in two sessions - the baseline session and the experimental session. In the baseline session, participants will be given ad libitum access to a lunch meal (followed by ad libitum access to dessert), and ad libitum access to a dinner meal (followed by ad libitum access to dessert). Then, after a washout period of between 1-6 weeks, participants will return to complete the experimental session, where they will be randomised to one of three conditions: Condition 1 (control condition): The same as the baseline condition except that the lunch will be of a fixed portion which participants must consume all of - this portion size will be the same amount of food as was consumed in the ad libitum lunch meal in the baseline session (participants will be told that the amount of food served is the same as the amount they consumed in the baseline session). Condition 2 (reduced aware condition): The same as the baseline condition except that the lunch will be of a fixed portion which participants must consume all of - this portion size will be 15% less than the amount of food consumed in the ad libitum lunch meal in the baseline session (participants will be told that the amount of food served has been reduced from the amount they consumed in the baseline session). Condition 3 (reduced unaware condition): The same as the baseline condition except that the lunch will be of a fixed portion which participants must consume all of - this portion size will be 15% less than the amount of food consumed in the ad libitum lunch meal in the baseline session (participants will be told that the amount of food served is the same as the amount they consumed in the baseline session).
Interventions
The intervention will be administered via changing portion sizes of foods served to participants. Depending on the condition participants are in, they will be served either a portion size which consists of the amount of food they consumed in the first test session, or a reduced portion size. Within these two reduced portion size conditions, one group of participants will be made aware that their portion size has been reduced, the other will not and instead will be told that this portion size is the same as the amount of food they consumed in the previous session.
Sponsors
Study design
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
* United Kingdom (UK) residents able to visit laboratory on campus in Liverpool, aged ≥ 18 * Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 32.5 kg/m2 * Proficiency in English language * Self-report willingness to eat each of the test foods
Exclusion criteria
* Current medication use which affects appetite * Pregnant * Currently or previously diagnosed with an eating disorder * Currently on a diet * Have any food allergies or intolerances * Are vegan
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate energy intake post-fixed lunch meal | Within 30 minutes after intervention administered | Amount of energy consumed from the lunch dessert |
| Total delayed post-fixed lunch meal energy intake | Within 10 hours after intervention administered | Amount of energy consumed from the post-lunch snack box intake, dinner meal, dinner dessert, post-dinner snack box intake, additional energy intake |
| Total post-fixed lunch meal energy intake | Within 10 hours after intervention administered | Amount of energy consumed from the lunch dessert, post-lunch snack box intake, dinner meal, dinner dessert, post-dinner snack box intake, additional energy intake |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Post-lunch snack box intake | Within 4 hours after intervention administered | Amount of energy consumed from snack box consumed between lunch and dinner |
| Total intake of the ad libitum dinner meal | Within 4-5 hours after intervention administered | Amount of energy consumed from the dinner meal |
Countries
United Kingdom