LPI: Leader Partner Interactions
Study Details
Study Description
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.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Active Comparator: High Social Position The investigators will randomly assign a participant to a higher social position. |
Behavioral: Designation of Social Positioning
|
| Experimental: Low Social Position The investigators will randomly assign a participant to a lower social position. |
Behavioral: Designation of Social Positioning
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Amount of Calories Selected and Consumed After Receiving Designation of Social Position [1 hour after start of study]
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male and female college student between the ages of 19 and 25
Exclusion Criteria:
-
Those with food allergies
-
Pregnant individuals
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UAB School of Health Professions; Webb Building Rooms 503 and 504 | Birmingham | Alabama | United States |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Gregory Pavela, PhD, Postdoctoral Trainee, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Principal Investigator: Dwight Lewis, PhD, Postdoctoral Trainee, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study Director: David B Allison, PhD, Associate Dean for Science, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Principal Investigator: Brian Wansink, PhD, Professor, Cornell University
- Principal Investigator: Emily J Dhurandhar, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Principal Investigator: John Dawson, PhD, Postdoctoral Trainee, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Principal Investigator: Madeline Jeansonne, MA, Program Coordinator 1, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- X131210007