Can Visual Cues to Portion Size Reduce the Number of Portions of Consumed? Two Randomized Controlled Trials

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deirdre A Robertson ◽  
Ciarán Lavin ◽  
Peter D Lunn
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Portion Size ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Snack Foods ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
Households With Children ◽  
Unhealthy Snacks

Abstract Background Since 1950, the portion size of many snack foods has more than doubled and obesity rates have tripled. Portion size determines energy intake, often unwittingly. Purpose This paper tests whether salient visual cues to portion size on the packaging of high fat, sugar, or salty (HFSS) snacks can reduce consumption. Methods Two preregistered randomized controlled trials (N = 253 and N = 674) measured consumption in a lab and the home environment. Cues were salient, labeled stripes that demarcated single portions. Participants were randomized to cue condition or control. Consumption was measured without awareness. Results The main preregistered effect of the visual cue was not statistically significant. There was some variation by subgroup. In Study 1, men were more likely to eat the whole can of potato chips than women but significantly reduced consumption when visual cues were on the pack. The effect size was large: the number of men eating more than the recommended portion fell by 33%. Study 2 monitored household consumption of chocolate biscuits (cookies) sent to family homes in gift packs. Again, the main effect was nonsignificant but there was significant subgroup variation. When the person receiving the biscuits was female, households were more likely to eat more than the recommended portion per person per day, but less likely when the visual cues were displayed. The gender of the eaters was not known. The effect size was again large: the number of households eating more than the recommended portion fell by 26%. Households with children were also less likely to open packs with visual cues compared to control packs. Both studies recorded significant increases in the likelihood of observing serving size information, together with confusion about what it means. Conclusions The studies offer some evidence that salient visual cues could play a role in tackling the high consumption of unhealthy snacks, but the effects are confined to specific subgroups and warrant further investigation.

Efficacy of Micronized Progesterone for Sleep: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trial Data

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendan J Nolan ◽  
Bonnie Liang ◽  
Ada S Cheung
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Sleep Onset ◽  
Sleep Time ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Sleep Onset Latency ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Micronized Progesterone

Abstract Context Preclinical data has shown progesterone metabolites improve sleep parameters through positive allosteric modulation of the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to assess micronized progesterone treatment on sleep outcomes. Evidence Acquisition Using preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis guidelines, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for randomized controlled trials of micronized progesterone treatment on sleep outcomes up to March 31, 2020. This study is registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, number CRD42020165981. A random effects model was used for quantitative analysis. Evidence Synthesis Our search strategy retrieved 9 randomized controlled trials comprising 388 participants. One additional unpublished trial was found. Eight trials enrolled postmenopausal women. Compared with placebo, micronized progesterone improved various sleep parameters as measured by polysomnography, including total sleep time and sleep onset latency, though studies were inconsistent. Meta-analysis of 4 trials favored micronized progesterone for sleep onset latency (effect size, 7.10; confidence interval [CI] 1.30, 12.91) but not total sleep time (effect size, 20.72; CI -0.16, 41.59) or sleep efficiency (effect size, 1.31; CI -2.09, 4.70). Self-reported sleep outcomes improved in most trials. Concomitant estradiol administration and improvement in vasomotor symptoms limit conclusions in some studies. Conclusions Micronized progesterone improves various sleep outcomes in randomized controlled trials, predominantly in studies enrolling postmenopausal women. Further research could evaluate the efficacy of micronized progesterone monotherapy using polysomnography or validated questionnaires in larger cohorts.

scholarly journals Empirical Evidence of an Association Between Internal Validity and Effect Size in Randomized Controlled Trials of Low-Back Pain

Spine ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 34 (16) ◽  
pp. 1685-1692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurits W. van Tulder ◽  
Marika Suttorp ◽  
Sally Morton ◽  
Lex M. Bouter ◽  
Paul Shekelle
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Randomized Controlled

scholarly journals Efficacy and Safety of Botulinum Toxin vs. Placebo in Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huan Qian ◽  
Fangjie Shao ◽  
Cameron Lenahan ◽  
Anwen Shao ◽  
Yingjun Li
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Botulinum Toxin ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Clinical Diagnosis ◽  
Effect Size ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious mental disorder that represents a substantial public health problem. Several trials have been undertaken to investigate the role of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in the treatment of MDD, but the conclusions were controversial. To examine the efficacy and safety of BTX-A vs. placebo on patients with a clinical diagnosis of MDD, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods: A systematic search was conducted for all relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in PubMed and Web of Science from inception to June 17, 2020. All published studies that investigated the efficacy and safety of BTX-A injections on patients with a clinical diagnosis of MDD were included. The overall effect size was summarized using a random-effects meta-analysis model. The primary outcomes of the present meta-analysis were the changes in depressive rating scale at week 6 after BTX-A injection compared with placebo. The safety of BTX-A injections also was assessed.Results: Five RCTs with a total of 417 participants (189 patients in the BTX-A group, 228 patients in placebo group) were eligible in this meta-analysis. The results indicated an overall positive effect of BTX-A injections for reducing the depressive symptoms of patients with MDD (Hedges' g, −0.82; 95% CI, −1.38 to −0.27) with large effect size. Differences are likely explained by the dose of BTX-As and the gender of the participants. Our findings also highlighted that BTX-A injections were generally well-tolerated, with only mild and temporary adverse events reported.Conclusions: The present meta-analysis provides evidence that BTX-A injections are associated with a statistically significant improvement in depressive symptoms. BTX-A injections are generally safe and may provide a new, alternative option for the treatment of depression.

scholarly journals Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Effect of Portion Size and Ingestive Frequency on Energy Intake and Body Weight Among Adults in Randomized Controlled Trials (P08-007-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Higgins ◽  
Joshua Hudson ◽  
Richard Mattes ◽  
Nilupa Gunaratna ◽  
Bethany McGowan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Portion Size ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Objectives Total energy intake is the product of portion size (PS), the energy content of an ingestive event, and ingestive frequency (IF), the number of ingestive events per unit time. An alteration in either portion size or ingestive frequency, that is not compensated by the other, must result in a change in energy intake and, if maintained over time, body weight. The primary objective of this meta-analysis was to assess the independent effects of PS and IF on dietary energy intake and body weight among healthy adults in randomized controlled trials. Methods 8,614 articles (duplicates removed) published through 2018 with no date restriction were identified with PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and CINAHL databases. The articles were divided among ten researchers and each article was screened for eligibility by two to three independent reviewers. Exclusion criteria included: populations <19 y and >65 y, unhealthy, assessment <24 h in duration, and controlled feeding trials. Studies investigating the effect of IF or PS on body weight were at least 4 weeks in duration. Eleven articles (IF = 3, PS = 8) met the inclusion criteria. There were not enough articles to assess the effect of PS on body weight. Results There was significant heterogeneity in the effect sizes among all comparisons (I2 = >50%). Consuming smaller portion sizes was associated with lower 24 h energy intake [–135 kcal (–249, –21), n = 15; WMD (95% CI), n = comparisons]. In contrast, IF was not associated with a difference in 24 h energy intake [–103 kcal (–230, 24), n = 5], but was positively related to body weight in trials ≥6 wk duration [0.40 kg (0.70, 0.11), n = 4]. Conclusions Results from RCTs support that greater PS but not IF is associated with higher daily energy consumption. However, IF is positively associated with increased body weight over time. Funding Sources NA

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document