Provision of Small vs. Large Portion Sizes and Later Food Intake

In 3 laboratory experiments the effect that receiving a small vs. large portion size of food has on later intake of that food was examined

Completed

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Key information

Conditions

Eating Behavior Behavior Behavior, Animal Feeding Behavior

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

Historical increases in the size of commercially available food products have been linked to the emergence of a worldwide obesity crisis. Although the acute effect portion size has on food intake is well established, the effect that exposure to smaller portion sizes has on future portion size selection is yet to be examined.We tested whether reducing a food portion size may 'renormalize' perceptions of what constitutes a normal amount of food to eat and result in people selecting and consuming smaller portions of that food in future. Across three experiments participants were served a large or smaller portion of food. In experiments 1-2, twenty four hours later participants freely selected and consumed a portion of that food. In experiment 3, one week later participants reported on their preferred portion size of that food.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

18 years or older

Exclusion criteria

History of food allergy, eating disorder or currently dieting to lose weight

Treatment and study plan

Small portion size provision

Behavioral

The intervention is the small meal size participants are provided with during a lunchtime session in the laboratory.

Large portion size provision

Behavioral

The intervention is the large meal size participants are provided with during a lunchtime session in the laboratory.

Primary outcomes

Later food intake (24 hour)

Time frame: Measured 24 hours after random allocation (experiments 1 and 2)

Amount of the lunchtime food later chosen and consumed
Later food intake (7 days)

Time frame: Measured 7 days after allocation (experiment 3)

Amount of the lunchtime food later chosen and consumed

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Liverpool

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Provision of Small vs. Large Portion Sizes and Later Self-selected Food Intake: 3 Experimental Laboratory Studies in UK Participants

Important dates

Study start: 2015
Primary completion: 2017
Study completion: 2017
First posted: Aug 7, 2017
Registry last updated: Aug 7, 2017

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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Completed