An Environmental Intervention to Encourage Healthy Food Choices

Overview

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.

Full Title of Study: “Encouraging Healthy Food Choices With an Environmental Intervention in Military Dining Facilities”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design
    • Allocation: Non-Randomized
    • Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
    • Primary Purpose: Prevention
    • Masking: Single (Participant)
  • Study Primary Completion Date: July 2014

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.

Interventions

  • Other: Healthy meal plates and trays
    • The healthy meal plates and trays provide guidance for how to construct a meal in the military dining facility.

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

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

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Change in dietary intake
    • Time Frame: 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 Measures

  • Change in nutrition knowledge
    • Time Frame: 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.
  • Change in nutrition attitudes and behaviors (composite)
    • Time Frame: 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.

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

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

  • N/A

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 18 Years

Maximum Age: N/A

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Sponsor
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Tracey J Smith, PhD, Principal Investigator, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

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