Menu to Meal (M2M): Bilingual AR/AI Nutrition Labels in Hispanic Restaurants
Menu to Meal (M2M): Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Digital Nutritional Labeling Intervention in Hispanic Restaurant Settings
This project will try bilingual paper menus and a digital menu with AR and AI nutrition guidance for adult customers at two Hispanic restaurants to see how menu formats affect ordering and nutrition confidence.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 240 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Texas A&M University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bryan, Texas) |
| Trial ID | NCT07329452 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The study sequentially exposes adult patrons at two independently owned Hispanic restaurants to three menu conditions: a standard menu with no nutrition information, a paper menu with bilingual nutrition labels, and a digital menu app enhanced with augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI). Participants complete brief surveys before ordering to measure nutrition literacy, decision-making confidence, self-efficacy, attitudes, and behavioral intentions, while ordering behavior is tracked using receipts and app interaction logs. The intervention is culturally tailored and bilingual, informed by a formative needs assessment and grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Cognitive Theory. Data will be compared across conditions to determine whether the AR/AI digital menu changes psychosocial factors and actual food choices.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older dining at the participating Hispanic restaurants during study hours who can read English or Spanish and consent to participate are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People under 18, restaurant staff, or individuals with visual or cognitive impairments or without the ability to interact with the AR/AI tools (for example, no smartphone) are unlikely to receive direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could improve nutrition literacy and help customers make healthier, more confident ordering decisions in small Hispanic restaurants.
How similar studies have performed: Traditional menu labeling has shown modest effects on ordering in some settings, but culturally tailored AR/AI-enhanced digital menus are a relatively novel approach with limited prior evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 years or older * Patrons dining at participating Hispanic restaurants during designated study hours * Able to read and speak English or Spanish * Willing and able to provide informed consent * Pregnant women are eligible to participate, as the study procedures pose minimal risk Exclusion Criteria: * Minors under 18 years of age * Individuals with visual or cognitive impairments that prevent interaction with the menu formats or AR/AI technology * Individuals who have participated in a prior phase of the study * Restaurant staff involved in study implementation
Where this trial is running
Bryan, Texas
- Local Restaurant Site — Bryan, Texas, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Hyunjung Lee, PhD — Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University
- Study coordinator: Hyunjung Lee, PhD
- Email: grace.lee@ag.tamu.edu
- Phone: 979-321-7084
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.