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NCT Number: NCT04994925

Ready Meal Consumption, Appetite and Food Intake in Females

Overweight and obesity are public health concerns and there is a forecast rise in the consumption of ready meals that are generally high in saturated fat and low in fibre. Slimming World, a commercial weight management organisation has designed a range of ready meals in line with their weight management programme, which advocates an unrestricted intake of low energy dense food in order to aid in weight loss. Hence, it is valuable to understand the satiating properties of ready meals in order to establish if specific ready meals can enhance satiety and contribute to reducing subsequent energy intake. This study aims to explore the effect of ready meals on short-term satiety and food intake among females with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2.

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Key information

Conditions

Overweight Body Weight Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Overnutrition Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Oxford Brookes Centre for Nutrition and Health

Oxford, OX3 0BP, United Kingdom

About this study

A total of 26 female participants aged between 18-65 years attended Oxford Brookes Centre for Nutrition and Health for two separate testing days. The study aimed to investigate the effects of energy matched ready meals (calorie-matched but differing quantities of protein and fat) on appetite and subsequent energy and macronutrient intake. The ready meals (Control = supermarket brand and Test = Slimming World) differed in energy density and macronutrient composition, with satiety responses investigated in the studies. The participants consumed a standard breakfast and four hours later consumed either a test ready meal (lasagne, higher energy density) or the control ready meal (lower energy density). Four hours after lunch participants food intake was measured during an ad libitum buffet tea. Additionally, satiety measurements were recorded using visual analogue scales throughout and participants completed a weighed food diary for the remainder of the test day.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • healthy, non-smoking females aged between 18-65 years with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2.
  • had no known food allergies to the study foods,
  • had no eating disorders,
  • were not following a special diet (e.g. vegetarian, halal),
  • were not taking any medication or supplements known to affect appetite or weight within the month prior to and/or during the study,
  • were not pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding,
  • had not significantly changed their physical activity in the 2-4 weeks prior to the study or who did not intend on changing them during the study,
  • were not receiving systemic or local treatment likely to interfere with the evaluation of the study parameters,

Exclusion criteria

  • females aged below 18 and above 65 years
  • BMI less than 25 kg/m2.
  • smokers
  • had food allergies to the study foods,
  • had eating disorders,
  • were following a special diet (e.g. vegetarian, halal),
  • were taking any medication or supplements known to affect appetite or weight within the month prior to and/or during the study,
  • were pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding,
  • had significantly changed their physical activity in the 2-4 weeks prior to the study or who did not intend on changing them during the study,
  • were receiving systemic or local treatment likely to interfere with the evaluation of the study parameters,
  • had a gastric band/had undergone gastric bypass treatment
  • and/or females who worked in appetite or feeding related areas.

Treatment and study plan

Control ready meal

Other

Supermarket brand lasagne ready meal

Test ready meal

Other

The Slimming World lasagne ready meal

Primary outcomes

  1. Visual Analogue Scale measurements for Hunger

    Time frame: 9 hours

    Ratings were established prior to breakfast (fasted), then every 30 minutes from commencing breakfast (8 am) until lunch (12 pm). Visual Analogue Scale ratings continued every 15 minutes from commencing lunch until the buffet tea (4 pm), with the last rating being made after finishing the buffet tea. Minimum value 0 mm; maximum value 100 mm; A higher score means worse outcome.

  2. Visual Analogue Scale measurements for Fullness

    Time frame: 9 hours

    Ratings were established prior to breakfast (fasted), then every 30 minutes from commencing breakfast (8 am) until lunch (12 pm). Visual Analogue Scale ratings continued every 15 minutes from commencing lunch until the buffet tea (4 pm), with the last rating being made after finishing the buffet tea. Minimum value 0 mm; maximum value 100 mm; A higher score means better outcome.

  3. Visual Analogue Scale measurements for Desire to Eat

    Time frame: 9 hours

    Ratings were established prior to breakfast (fasted), then every 30 minutes from commencing breakfast (8 am) until lunch (12 pm). Visual Analogue Scale ratings continued every 15 minutes from commencing lunch until the buffet tea (4 pm), with the last rating being made after finishing the buffet tea. Minimum value 0 mm; maximum value 100 mm; A higher score means worse outcome.

  4. Visual Analogue Scale measurements for Prospective Food Consumption

    Time frame: 9 hours

    Ratings were established prior to breakfast (fasted), then every 30 minutes from commencing breakfast (8 am) until lunch (12 pm). Visual Analogue Scale ratings continued every 15 minutes from commencing lunch until the buffet tea (4 pm), with the last rating being made after finishing the buffet tea. Minimum value 0 mm; maximum value 100 mm; A higher score means worse outcome.

  5. Energy intake after ad libitum buffet tea

    Time frame: 4 hours

    Total energy consumed at the ad libitum tea given 4 hours after the control/test ready meal

  6. Macronutrient intake after ad libitum buffet tea

    Time frame: 4 hours

    Total macronutrient amounts consumed at the ad libitum tea given 4 hours after the control/test ready meal

Secondary outcomes

  1. Visual Analogue Scale measurements of thirst

    Time frame: 9 hours

    Ratings were established prior to breakfast (fasted), then every 30 minutes from commencing breakfast (8 am) until lunch (12 pm). Visual Analogue Scale ratings continued every 15 minutes from commencing lunch until the buffet tea (4 pm), with the last rating being made after finishing the buffet tea. Minimum value 0 mm; maximum value 100 mm; A higher score means worse outcome.

  2. Visual Analogue Scale measurements of nausea

    Time frame: 9 hours

    Ratings were established prior to breakfast (fasted), then every 30 minutes from commencing breakfast (8 am) until lunch (12 pm). Visual Analogue Scale ratings continued every 15 minutes from commencing lunch until the buffet tea (4 pm), with the last rating being made after finishing the buffet tea. Minimum value 0 mm; maximum value 100 mm; A higher score means worse outcome.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Oxford Brookes University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effects of Ready Meal Consumption on Self-reported Appetite Ratings and Subsequent Food Intake in Females

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
Aug 6, 2021
Registry last updated
Aug 12, 2021

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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