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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03940105

The Effects of Snack Size and Variety on Appetite Control, Satiety, and Eating Behavior in Healthy Adults.

The investigators propose a randomized snack study in normal to obese adults that will test whether snack size, choice, or variety has an influence on daily snack intake.

Aim 1: To validate the in-house packout methodology with 3-day dietary recalls. Aim 2: To examine whether snack variety or snack package size will influence free-living snacking behavior.

Aim 3: To identify whether a correlation exists between mindful eating and free-living snacking behavior.

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Key information

Conditions

Snacking

Age range

18 year–55 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Purdue University

West Lafayette, Indiana, 47907, United States

About this study

Participants will complete 4 different snack patterns. Each pattern will include 3 nonconsecutive weekdays (i.e., Monday/Wednesday/Friday; Tuesday/Thursday/Monday, etc.). The snack patterns will be performed at home/work.

The first pattern will simply be a measurement of typical snack habits. For each of the 3 days, the participant will enter all foods and beverages consumed using the online program, Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA-24).

For the other 3 patterns, different snack packouts will be provided to the participant for 3 nonconsecutive weekdays/pattern. The only difference between the packouts is the type of foods provided. The packouts contain commercially available foods commonly eaten by people who snack. Following lunch, the participant will be permitted to eat as much or as little as he/she chooses from the packout until going to bed. Beverages will not be provided and the participant could drink whatever he/she typically consumes.

For all patterns, the participant will be provided with a standardized breakfast, lunch, and dinner to consume at home/work for each of the 3 days/pattern.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • age range 18-55 y
  • normal weight to overweight/obese (BMI: 18-32 kg/m2)
  • healthy, non-diabetic
  • not currently or previously on a weight loss or other special diet (in the past 6 months)
  • non-smoking (for the past 6 months)
  • not been clinically diagnosed with an eating disorder
  • habitually eat afternoon/evening snacks at least 4 days/week

Exclusion criteria

  • Clinically diagnosed with an eating disorder
  • Metabolic, hormonal, and/or neural conditions/diseases that influence metabolism or appetite
  • Currently or previously on a weight loss or other special diet (in the past 6 months)
  • Gained/lost >10 lb. over the past 6 months
  • Taking medication that would directly influence appetite (weight-loss drugs or antidepressant, steroid, or thyroid medication, unless dosage has been stable for at least 3 months)
  • Not willing or able to complete all study testing procedures

Treatment and study plan

Packout

Behavioral

Each packout provided during 3 of the 4 snack patterns will contain a variety of foods to be consumed, ad libitum, throughout the remainder of the day following the standardized lunch. There are 3 different packouts that will be provided for 3 nonconsecutive weekdays (for a total of 9 packouts). Each packout contains the same calories and types of foods. However, they differ in packaging size and variety.

Primary outcomes

  1. Ad libitum Snack Energy Intake

    Time frame: 12 testing days across ~4-6 weeks

    Free-living energy intake will be assessed on the three testing days of each testing arm. For the control testing days, the participant will be provided with a standardized breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and will be required to log any snacks consumed on the Automated Self-Administered Recall System (ASA24). For each pack-out testing day, the participant will be provided a standardized breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as an excess of snacks to consume, ad libitum, throughout the day. All food items will be initially weighed and recorded. The participants will be instructed to return all uneaten foods as well as all wrappers and containers from consumed food. Any partially eaten, returned items will be weighed accordingly. The snacking and daily energy intake (as well as protein, carbohydrate, sugar, fiber, and fat intake) will be assessed from these pack-outs.

  2. Ad libitum Food Category Intake

    Time frame: 9 testing days across ~3-5 weeks

    Free-living food category intake will be assessed on the three testing days of each packout. The participant will be provided a standardized breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as an excess of snacks to consume, ad libitum, throughout the day. All food items will be initially weighed and recorded. The participants will be instructed to return all uneaten foods as well as all wrappers and containers from consumed food. Any partially eaten, returned items will be weighed accordingly. The snack intake of different food categories (i.e. desserts and candy, salty, high fat, high sugar, fruits and vegetables) will be assessed from these pack-outs.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Intuitive Eating Score (1-5)

    Time frame: Baseline (at beginning of study)

    Participant will complete Intuitive Eating Scale-2 survey in order to receive an Intuitive Eating Score. The survey includes a 1 to 5 likert scale with 1 being 'strongly disagree' and 5 being 'strongly agree'. Min score is 1; Max score is 5. The higher the number, the greater the intuitive eating.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Purdue University

Other

Collaborators

  • Sabra Dipping Company, LLC

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
May 7, 2019
Registry last updated
Jan 21, 2022

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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