An Environmental Intervention to Encourage Healthy Food Choices

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Dietary Habits; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
• Interventions: Other: Healthy meal plates and trays

• Registration Number: NCT01921153
• Lead Sponsor: United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

Brief Summary

The primary objective of this study is to test effectiveness of an environmental intervention designed to encourage healthy food intake during meals. It is hypothesized that fruit, vegetable, whole grain, lean protein, and low-fat dairy consumption will increase during the intervention. It is also hypothesized that nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors will change as a result of the intervention. The findings from this study will provide insight into the applicability of this intervention in military dining facilities.

Detailed Description

Previous studies attempting to increase consumption of healthy foods in military dining facilities have had mixed results, and alternative approaches need to be considered. The present intervention was designed with the results of previous studies in mind, and as such, does not focus on labeling only healthy food choices. Instead, the present intervention aims to encourage consumption of nutritionally well-balanced meals using an environmental cue in military dining facilities.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2013-07-31
• Study Start: 2013-08
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-08-08
• Study First Posted: 2013-08-13
• Primary Completion: 2014-07
• Study Completion: 2014-07
• Status Verified: 2016-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2016-05-03
• Last Update Posted: 2016-05-04

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 39

Inclusion Criteria

• Military member or government civilian employee
• Normally eat in military dining facility at least 1 day per week.

Exclusion Criteria

• N/A

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Long Intervention	Healthy meal plates and trays	All participants will be measured for (1) baseline, (2) four-week environmental intervention: Healthy meal plates and trays, and (3) withdraw of intervention.
Short Intervention	Healthy meal plates and trays	All participants will be measured for (1) baseline, (2) two-week environmental intervention: Healthy meal plates and trays, and (3) withdraw of intervention.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in dietary intake	Participants will be followed for 6-12 weeks	Dietary intake will be assessed at lunches eaten in military dining facilities using the food photography method. The change in dietary intake from baseline to intervention will be assessed.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in nutrition attitudes and behaviors (composite)	Measured at the beginning and end of the 6-12 week study.	Nutrition attitudes and behaviors will be measured with a single composite experimenter-developed questionnaire.
Change in nutrition knowledge	Measured at beginning and end of the 6-12 week study.	Nutrition knowledge specific to the intervention will be assessed with an experimenter-developed questionnaire.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Natick Soldier Systems Center Dining Facility; 🇺🇸 Natick, Massachusetts, United States