Intake Promoting Effects of Large Portions in Children

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to test the effects of large food portions on children's eating. Experiment 1 will test the effect of portion size on children's consumption of sweetened beverages; we hypothesize that serving large beverage portions will increase the amount of energy children consume from this food. Experiment 2 will test the effects of portion size on children's intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) affect intake whether such effects are moderated by children's FV preferences and; we hypothesize that serving large fruit and vegetable portions will produce increases in children's intake of these foods, particularly for children who like fruit and vegetables. Experiment 3 will evaluate how food energy density affects children's response to large portions; we hypothesize that large portions will have the greatest influence on children's energy consumption when foods are energy dense. Experiment 4 will begin to address perceptual mechanisms by which large portions affect children's eating.

Detailed Description
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The emerging epidemic of overweight among underscores the need to identify contributing environmental factors. Marketplace trends for excessive and growing portion sizes in and outside the home have reinforced concerns that large portions may directly contribute by promoting excessive intake. To date, however, systematic investigation of portion size effects on children's eating has been extremely limited. Two laboratory studies have reported that serving large portions of macaroni and cheese to young children promoted energy consumption at meals. Whether portion size effects would be seen with other foods of varying energy content and preference is unknown. Of particular public health interest is whether serving large portions may affect children's intake of sweetened beverages, fruits and vegetables, and energy dense foods. This study will address these questions using an experimental approach to test the effects of portion size on children's eating.

Conditions
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Eating

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Food portion size


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 5 to 6 years Exclusion Criteria: severe food allergies chronic illnesses or medication use affecting food intake dislike of foods on the menu

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 5 Years
Maximum Age: 6 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Portion Size<br>Each experiment manipulated food portion size of beverages, entrees, and side dishes | Behavioral: Food portion size<br>* Each of four experiments involves a 2 x 2 within-subjects factorial design, in which the first factor is the portion size of a food served to children: foods will be served in a reference amount (i.e. 250 g macaroni and cheese) or doubled in size(i.e. 500 g of macaroni and cheese). In the Experiment 1, the second factor of the 2 x 2 design is meal type: whether the food is consumed at a meal or a snack. In experiment #2, the second factor is food type: fruit vs. vegetable. In experiment #3, the second factor is entree energy density: a regular energy density or a 40% greater energy density. In experiment #4, the second factor is plate size: a 6 inch plate vs. a 10 inch plate.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Intake of portion manipulated foods |  | In each experimental condition; 4 times in each 2 x 2 factorial experiment | 
| Total energy consumed |  | In each experimental condition; 4 times in each 2 x 2 factorial experiment | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Eating Behavior, Children, Portion size, Experimental