Impact of food distance on snack food intake
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN46995850 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN46995850 |
| Protocol serial number | N/A |
| Sponsor | University of Cambridge (UK) |
| Funders | Medical Research Council, Department of Health Policy Research Programme |
- Submission date
- 06/10/2015
- Registration date
- 07/10/2015
- Last edited
- 01/12/2017
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Many studies have shown that people from poorer backgrounds tend to eat more unhealthy foods that those who are more privileged. Some think that studies which aim to educate people and change their behaviour may not work as well for people from disadvantaged communities as their ability for self-control (executive function) may be lower. This is a particular concern as it may widen the gap between the dietary habits of these two groups, and so a different type of study may be needed to find the best way to help those from disadvantaged backgrounds to change their diets. Making changes to the environment, such as placing food further away, is thought to change people’s behaviour unconsciously. People generally eat more of a food when it is placed within reach, regardless of the type of food or that person’s usual habits. Many studies testing this principle tend to test only university staff and students, which is not an accurate representation of the general population. The aim of this study is to find out whether the distance of food changes the amount of food a person eats and to find out whether this is related to a person’s executive function.
Who can participate?
Healthy adults who live in Cambridge and surrounding areas.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated into two groups. Each group is provided with snack foods in a bowl during a 10 minute “relaxation break” which is placed either 20cm or 70cm away from them. After the 10 minute break, the weight of the snack bowls is measured to find out how much the participants from each group have eaten and the number of participants who ate the snacks from each group is recorded. Participants are also asked to complete a questionnaire designed to test their executive function at the start of the study, and a questionnaire to determine their response to the snacks after the study.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no direct benefits for participants; however the study will help to provide information about ways of influencing eating behaviour that can be applied to further research. There are no risks of participating in the study.
Where is the study run from?
University of Cambridge Institute of Public Health (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
November 2014 to March 2016
Who is funding the study?
1. Medical Research Council (UK)
2. Department of Health Policy Research Programme (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Professor Theresa Marteau
Contact information
Scientific
University of Cambridge
Institute of Public Health
Forvie Site
Cambridge
CB2 OSR
United Kingdom
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Single-centre randomised parallel trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised parallel trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Impact of altering proximity on snack food intake in individuals with high and low executive function |
| Study objectives | 1. Consumption of a snack food is less likely when it is placed further from participants 2. The proximity effect is not moderated by executive function |
| Ethics approval(s) | Cambridge Psychology Research Ethics Committee, 16/03/2015, ref: Pre.2015.008 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Unhealthy diet |
| Intervention | Participants are told they will be taking part in a relaxation study so that the snack food can be placed without making participants aware that the study is about eating behaviour (awareness of the role of food may affect their eating behaviour). Participants are fully debriefed at the end of the session. Participants are randomly allocated into two groups, who are provided with snack foods which are place different distances away: Group 1: Snack food is placed at 20cm from the participant Group 2: Snack food is placed at 70cm from the participant Before the snack food is brought into the room, participants complete tasks to measure executive function. After the snacks are removed from the room, participants complete questions relating to the snacks used in the study, such as ratings of effort to take the snacks and how tempting the snacks appeared. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
The proportion of participants who consume any snack food, measured as any difference in bowl weight from before to after the participant is exposed to the snacks. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. The mean amount of snack food consumed, measured as the difference in bowl weight from before to after the participant is exposed to the snacks |
| Completion date | 31/03/2016 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Healthy volunteer |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 156 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Adults aged over 18 years 2. In the Cambridge area and surrounding areas (Stevenage, Peterborough) |
| Key exclusion criteria | Any food allergies or intolerances |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/04/2015 |
| Date of final enrolment | 20/05/2015 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
Study participating centre
Forvie Site
Robinson Way
Cambridge
CB2 OSR
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan | The current data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 01/02/2018 | Yes | No | |
| Protocol article | protocol | 13/06/2016 | Yes | No | |
| Basic results | 07/06/2017 | 08/06/2017 | No | No | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Additional files
- ISRCTN46995850_BasicResults_07Jun17.docx
- Uploaded 08/06/2017
Editorial Notes
01/12/2017: Publication reference added.
08/06/2017: The basic results of this trial have been updated to include the completed analysis of the secondary outcome measures.
15/03/2017: The basic results of this trial have been uploaded as an additional file. Overall trial start date was changed from 11/11/2015 to 11/11/2014. Added individual participant data (IPD) sharing plan.
14/06/2016: Publication reference added.
