Leader Partner Interactions

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Socioeconomic Status; Food Intake
• Interventions: Behavioral: Designation of Social Positioning

• Registration Number: NCT02048774
• Lead Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Brief Summary

Obesity is often cited as being inversely related with socioeconomic status (SES), although the mechanisms linking social status with obesity are not well understood. Dietary restraint, physical activity, and social mobility have been proposed as possible mechanisms. Although there is some evidence of SES variation in the proposed mechanisms, evidence is mixed and mostly observational. The purpose of this research is to determine if one's social position influences eating behaviors. This study will attempt to determine this using a randomized, 2 parallel arm trial to determine the effects that social hierarchy positioning has on energy intake. To prevent compromise in the integrity of data, the investigators will detail the exact treatment condition (i.e., social positioning) after the data collection period.

Based on findings from previous animal and large clinical observational studies, there are two complementary hypotheses tested in this study. First, it is hypothesized that being in a lower social position affects one's perception of food availability by making the future availability of food seem less certain. This uncertainty will lead to increased food consumption. Second, it is hypothesized that being in a position of power will lower one's food consumption, as previous research has found that individuals in power tend to east less in groups. Understanding how social position influences food intake could help improve weight loss/maintenance interventions by identifying unexpected factors that could limit the intervention's effectiveness.

Detailed Description

Not available

Basic Information
|
Recruitment & Eligibility
|
Study & Design
|
Trial Locations

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2014-01-27
• Study First Submitted QC: 2014-01-27
• Study First Posted: 2014-01-29
• Study Start: 2014-02
• Primary Completion: 2015-12
• Study Completion: 2015-12
• Status Verified: 2016-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2016-01-25
• Last Update Posted: 2016-01-26

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 58

Inclusion Criteria

• Male and female college student between the ages of 19 and 25

Read More

Exclusion Criteria

• Those with food allergies
• Pregnant individuals

Read More

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Low Social Position	Designation of Social Positioning	The investigators will randomly assign a participant to a lower social position.
High Social Position	Designation of Social Positioning	The investigators will randomly assign a participant to a higher social position.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Amount of Calories Selected and Consumed After Receiving Designation of Social Position	1 hour after start of study

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

UAB School of Health Professions; Webb Building Rooms 503 and 504; 🇺🇸 Birmingham, Alabama, United States