Clinical trial NCT01674751: What to Eat for Lunch? A Pilot Study to Improve Healthier Eating at Work
Official title: What to Eat for Lunch? A Pilot Study to Improve Healthier Eating at Work
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Dietary Habits
Keywords: pre-ordering
healthy eating
mindfulness
incentives
employees
Lead sponsor: Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Aramark Healthcare
First posted: 2012-08-29
Enrollment: 31
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: This pilot study will test the feasibility and potential effectiveness of a novel approach to improve food choices by employees about what to eat for lunch. The intervention involves the testing of an on-line pre-ordering food program with nutritional information linked to a hospital cafeteria. In this study, the investigators use positive reinforcement of feedback and price discounts during the intervention phase, and then withdraw those components in order to assess the potential for changes to be retained after the study is over.

The study draws on principles from the field of behavioral economics and behavioral change. The investigators test the effectiveness of the intervention with 30 employees (study participants) who are overweight or obese. Based on a recent screening of over 5600 Einstein employees, 66% of those screened were identified as either overweight or obese. There are 3 phases to the trial: baseline (P1), 4 week intervention, (P2) and tapering (intervention without reinforcement) (P3). Participants are randomized to one of two groups (intervention and wait-listed controls).

Our primary hypotheses are that:

1. Participants will purchase lunches with fewer calories during the intervention compared to baseline.
2. Participants will purchases lunches with fewer calories in the tapering phase compared to baseline.

Secondary hypotheses include that, compared with baseline, participants will order lunches with less fat. Changes in participant weight based on self selected goals, and in a measure of mindful eating will also be investigated. The investigators expect that participant adherence will be associated with improved outcomes compared to those who are less adherent.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Interested in improving their food choices as it relates to healthier eating and weight loss
* Adult employee at large, urban hospital in Philadelphia at which study is being conducted
* Eats at least 4 lunch meals a week at study cafeteria
* BMI greater than or equal to 25.0 (based on standard classification).
* Willingness to allow researchers to collect data about their lunch purchases
* Willingness to "swipe" their employee card for lunch purchases during the study
* Access to a computer at work
* Capable of providing informed consent
* Has a way of being contacted by telephone, email, fax, or receiving a text message

Exclusion Criteria:

* Planning to terminate hospital employment within the next 4 months
* Individuals unable to consent
* Individuals who are not yet adults
* Employees who are pregnant
* Employees with hypertension, dyslipidemia or coronary artery disease whose medical therapy has changed in the past 3 months.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Total number of calories
timeFrame: Participants are followed for a minimum of 12 weeks and the total calories from their lunchtime meals are recorded daily.
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Total number of calories from fat
timeFrame: Participants are followed for a minimum of 12 weeks and the total calories from fat in their lunchtime meals are recorded daily.
measure: Participant adherence
timeFrame: Participants are followed for a minimum of 12 weeks
measure: Participant body weight (kg)
timeFrame: Recorded at the time of recruitment into the study and again following the 8 week intervention
measure: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
timeFrame: Measured at the time of recruitment into the study and again following the 8 week intervention
measure: Cholesterol subfractions
timeFrame: Measured at the time of recruitment into the study and again following the 8 week intervention
measure: Blood pressure (mmHg)
timeFrame: Measured at the time of recruitment into the study and again following the 8 week intervention
measure: Mindful eating score on 28-item self-report measure
timeFrame: Recorded at the time of recruitment into the study and again following the 8 week intervention
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Philadelphia
country: United States
facility: Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
state: Pennsylvania
Study officials:
affiliation: Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
name: Etienne J Phipps, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: