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Sustained Effect of Food Texture of Ultra-processed Foods on Energy Intake

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Eating Behavior
Interventions
Other: Ad libitum breakfast and dinner meals for 12 days
Registration Number
NCT05561426
Lead Sponsor
Wageningen University
Brief Summary

In this study the sustained effect of food texture differences (slow vs fast eating rate) of ultra-processed foods on energy intake and body composition changes will be investigated.

Detailed Description

Rationale: Several observational studies have shown that the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) is associated with higher energy intake and obesity rates. However, the high eating rate of UPF might cause its high energy intake instead of the industrial processing level itself. There is a positive relationship between the eating rate and oro-sensory exposure of foods and subsequent energy intake. Food texture modifies eating rate and through that the energy intake of foods. It is shown that harder, chunkier, more viscous, and more voluminous foods decrease eating rate of foods and thus decrease energy intake. So far, research on food texture and energy intake has only been performed for one meal or one day and it is unknown if food texture and eating rate have a sustained effect on energy intake. Knowledge on the sustained effect of food texture differences could be used for strategies to drive or limit energy intake.

Objective: The primary objective is to determine the sustained effect of food texture differences (slow vs fast eating rate) of UPF on energy intake. The secondary objective is to determine the effect of texture differences (slow vs fast eating rate) of UPF on body composition changes.

Study design: The study has a randomized crossover design with two treatment arms. All participants receive both conditions (1. slow test breakfast and dinners consisting of UPF and 2. fast test breakfast and dinners consisting of UPF for twelve subsequent days) and are their own control (within subject effects).

Study population: Healthy Dutch speaking adults (n=20) between 18-55 years old with a BMI between 18.5-30 kg/m2.

Intervention: Participants will join two test periods, each consisting out of twelve days. During the test periods they will visit the eating behaviour lab where they receive ad libitum breakfast and dinner meals. During meal consumption participants are video recorded to determine eating behaviour. Standardized fixed portion lunch meals and snacks will be provided on-the-go. On weekend days participants will receive pre-packed meals. In one test period participants will receive meals consisting of UPF that have a hard texture (slow eating rate) and in the other period (randomized order) they will receive meals consisting of UPF with a soft texture (fast eating rate). The order in which participants will receive the meals within each condition will be (block) randomized.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
20
Inclusion Criteria
  • Between 18-55 years old at the day of inclusion
  • Able to understand and speak Dutch and English fluently or without difficulty (self-report)
  • BMI 18.5-30 kg/m2 - measured by the researchers during the information meeting (after signing informed consent)
  • Good general health and appetite (self-report)
  • Commonly (5 out of 7 week days) eating three meals a day every day around approximately the same times (self-report)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Difficulties with swallowing, chewing, and/or eating in general
  • Suffering from an endocrine or eating disorder, gastrointestinal illness or illness of the thyroid gland, respiratory disease, or diabetes
  • Having taste or smell disorders (self-report)
  • Braces (not including a dental wire) or oral piercing
  • Smoking
  • Consuming on average more than 21 glasses of alcohol per week
  • Not willing to stop using drugs during the study period (from inclusion till last test session)
  • Use of medication that may influence study outcomes (self-report)
  • Allergies or intolerance to any ingredient of the test meals
  • Not willing to eat the test food because of eating habits, believes, or religion
  • Following a vegetarian or vegan diet
  • Lactose intolerant
  • Men having facial hair such as a beard as facial movements cannot be analysed
  • Followed an energy restricted diet during the last 2 months
  • Gained or lost 5 kg of body weight over the last half year
  • High restrained eater according to the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (men: score>2.89, women>3.39) - this exclusion criterion will not explicitly be communicated to the participants to prevent desirable answers
  • Signed up for participating in another research study of the Nutrition and Health department (WUR)
  • Employee, thesis student or intern at the chair group of Sensory Science and Eating Behaviour Human Nutrition (WUR).
  • Intensive exercising more than 5 hours per week
  • Low score (<1) for liking the individual test meals on a nine point Likert scale based on pictures of the meals
  • Unfamiliar with the test meals (self-report)
  • Having an abnormal (non-representative) eating rates - measured by the researchers during the information meeting (after signing informed consent)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Fast UPF mealsAd libitum breakfast and dinner meals for 12 daysMeals consisting of UPF with textures that are consumed fast
Slow UPF mealsAd libitum breakfast and dinner meals for 12 daysMeals consisting of UPF with textures that are consumed slow
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Average daily energy intake (kcal/day)Two periods of 12 days

Daily energy intake across 12 days for each diet

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Fat mass measured with skinfold measurementsTwo periods of 12 days

Fat mass measured with skinfold measurements (kg and %)

Body weight (kg)Two periods of 12 days

Body weight (kg) measured using in duplicate using a weighing scale

Fat free mass measured with bioelectrical impedance analysisTwo periods of 12 days

Fat free mass measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis (kg and %)

Fat free mass measured with skinfold measurementsTwo periods of 12 days

Fat free mass measured with skinfold measurements (kg and %)

Fat mass measured with bioelectrical impedance analysisTwo periods of 12 days

Fat mass measured wit bioelectrical impedance analysis (kg and %)

Waist and hip circumference (cm)Two periods of 12 days

Waist and hip circumference will be measured in duplicate using measuring tape

BMITwo periods of 12 days

Obtained by body weight (kg; measured using a weighing scale) and height (cm; measured using a stadiometer)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Wageningen University, Human Nutrition Department

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Wageningen, Gelderland, Netherlands

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