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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04078607

Cognitive Distraction on Food Intake: Randomized Crossover Exploratory Study

This study determined effects of a cognitive distraction on amount, preference, and memory of food consumed and perceptions of fullness, hunger, and enjoyment of food in a healthy young-adult population. A randomized controlled crossover study of 119 healthy adults, assigned to begin in either the distracted or control condition, was conducted.

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Key information

Conditions

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

Age range

18 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Urbana, Illinois, 61801, United States

About this study

Environmental distractions have been shown to affect eating patterns. Influences of food environments on consumption patterns and not simply food choices are becoming increasingly clear for their contributions to energy intake. Of particular interest is the presence of distraction. It has been postulated that when distracted, individuals are inclined to consumer more than when not distracted. However, how distraction and memory impact subsequent food choice and preference is less well known. A Rapid Visual Information Processing (RVIP) task was applied to distract individuals while eating; food intake and food behaviors were measured after RVIP distraction and compared to food intake and food behaviors without distraction in the same individuals.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • able to read and speak English and willing to consume foods provided during the study

Exclusion criteria

  • adhering to any dietary restrictions or diets, having any food allergies, and/or having any chronic or metabolic diseases

Treatment and study plan

Rapid Visual Information Processing task

Behavioral

A series of numbers appeared on a computer screen at a rate of one per minute. Each participant was required to identify any series of three consecutive odd or even numbers by hitting the space bar on the keyboard. The task lasted 15 minutes and included a 1-minute practice session before food being served. Participants were instructed to eat at will while completing the computer task.

None or Control condition

Behavioral

Participant were instructed to eat at will during a 15-minute duration.

Primary outcomes

  1. Food intake

    Time frame: Up to 14 days

    Consumption of food by number of food items eaten

Secondary outcomes

  1. Snack intake

    Time frame: Up to 14 days

    Consumption of snack choices by number of food items eaten

  2. Memory of food intake

    Time frame: Up to 14 days

    Recording of food that was eaten during the condition period by number of food items eaten

  3. Fullness

    Time frame: Up to 14 days

    How full do you feel right now? by 100mm visual analog scale; 0=not at all to 100=very much

  4. Hunger

    Time frame: Up to 14 days

    How hungry do you feel right now? by 100mm visual analog scale; 0=not at all to 100=very much

  5. Enjoyment

    Time frame: Up to 14 days

    How much did you enjoy the meal provided? by 100mm visual analog scale; 0=not at all to 100=very much

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of a Cognitive Distraction on Amount, Preference, and Memory of Food Consumed: a Randomized Crossover Exploratory Study

Important dates

Study start
2017
Primary completion
2017
Study completion
2018
First posted
Sep 6, 2019
Registry last updated
Sep 6, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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