Efficacy of Portion Size Measurement Aids

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Nutrition Assessment; Obesity
• Interventions: Behavioral: Portion Size Measurement Aids (PSMAs)

• Registration Number: NCT01262768
• Lead Sponsor: University of Alberta

Brief Summary

Portion size measurement aids (PSMAs) are tools that facilitate the estimation of food servings. The objectives of this study are to determine (a) if food portion size estimation accuracy differs when using a two dimensional (2D) PSMA (actual-size photos called Portion Size Cards) compared to a 3D PSMA (Portion Size Kit) and (b) whether differences exist in the short-term usefulness of and satisfaction with these PSMAs in a sample of parents of overweight children and youth. We hypothesize that the group that receives the 3D PSMAs will be more accurate in food portion size estimation and will be more satisfied with the tool compared to the group that receives the 2D PSMAs.

Detailed Description

Forty primary caregivers of overweight children and youth attending the Pediatric Centre for Weight and Health (Edmonton, AB) will be recruited. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups (2D PSMAs versus 3D PSMAs). After a brief explanation of the respective tool, participants will estimate the volumes of pre-measured rubber food portion models on a test plate. Participants will then be given the 2D or 3D PSMAs to take home with them to use in the real-world. After 2-4 weeks, participants will be telephoned by the research team to complete a brief survey to evaluate their usefulness of and satisfaction with the 2D or 3D PSMAs at home.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2010-04
• Study First Submitted: 2010-12-16
• Study First Submitted QC: 2010-12-16
• Study First Posted: 2010-12-17
• Primary Completion: 2013-09
• Study Completion: 2014-01
• Status Verified: 2014-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2014-02-19
• Last Update Posted: 2014-02-20

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 36

Inclusion Criteria

• Participants must be primary caregivers of children or youth attending a clinical appointment for weight management (clients must have a BMI greater or equal to the 85th percentile at this clinic)
• Participants must be literate and fluent in English

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Exclusion Criteria

• Any participant who does not meet the above criteria
• Participants must not have had any previous education or resources on food portion sizes at this clinic

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
2D Portion Size Measurment Aids (PSMAs)	Portion Size Measurement Aids (PSMAs)	The 2D PSMAs are life-size photographs of the 3D PSMAs.
3D Portion Size Measurement Aids (PSMAs)	Portion Size Measurement Aids (PSMAs)	The 3D PSMAs include foam rubber replicas of a golf ball, a hockey puck, a tennis ball and a baseball.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Accuracy of food portion size estimation	At the time of subject interview (single time point)	During the initial interview, the subject receives a brief description of the task and is shown pre-estimated rubber food models. The subject then estimates the portion sizes (volumes) of the rubber food models using either 2D or 3D PSMAs.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Acceptability (satisfaction and usefulness) of 2D and 3D PSMAs	2-4 weeks following the accuracy assessment	After the intial interview, subjects are given either 2D or 3D PSMAs to take home with them to use in a real-world setting. After 2-4 weeks, the researcher team contacts the subjects to complete a brief telephone interview to determine parental satisfaction and usefulness regarding the 2D or 3D PSMAs.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Pediatric Centre for Weight and Health- Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre; 🇨🇦 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada