Impact of calorie labelling on hot drink vending choices
The Effects of Physical Activity Calorie Equivalent (PACE) Labelling on Hot Beverage Transactions From Vending Machines: Stepped-wedge Cluster Randomised Trial
This study tests if adding calorie labels to hot drink vending machines can help people choose lower-calorie beverages.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Loughborough University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Loughborough, Leicestershire) |
| Trial ID | NCT06072300 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effects of physical activity calorie equivalent (PACE) labelling on consumer choices at hot drink vending machines. It employs a stepped wedge randomised controlled trial design involving 42 vending machines across 27 buildings, where clusters will sequentially implement PACE labelling over 24 weeks. The primary focus is to measure changes in average kilocalories per beverage transaction and the proportion of high-calorie beverages purchased. Data will be collected weekly to assess the impact of the intervention on beverage transactions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals who frequently use hot drink vending machines in the participating university settings.
Not a fit: Patients who do not use vending machines or those who are not frequent consumers of hot beverages may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to healthier beverage choices among consumers by providing clearer calorie information.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown mixed results regarding the effectiveness of nutritional labelling, making this approach both relevant and potentially novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: All vending machines within a cluster need to be self-service customer operated. Vending machines need to be operated and maintained by the participating University All vending machines within a cluster need to dispense the same hot beverages of interest All vending machines in the cluster electronically record transactions of the hot beverages. Exclusion Criteria: Vending machines or clusters not meeting the inclusion criteria Not able to access the vending machine for the purpose of this study Any vending machine the ethics committee feel it is inappropriate to collect data from (e.g. near a medical facility), in which the case the whole cluster (location) will be excluded
Where this trial is running
Loughborough, Leicestershire
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences — Loughborough, Leicestershire, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Amanda Daley, PhD — Loughborough University
- Study coordinator: Amanda Daley, PhD
- Email: a.daley@lboro.ac.uk
- Phone: 01509 226353
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.