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. 2023 Sep 25;9(1):106.
doi: 10.1186/s40795-023-00764-3.

Effects of an educational planetary plate graphic on meat consumption in a Stanford University dining hall: a randomized controlled trial

Alessandra L Marcone  1 , Gary L Darmstadt  2 , Ghislaine Amsler Challamel  3 , Maya B Mathur  4 , Christopher D Gardner  5
Affiliations

Effects of an educational planetary plate graphic on meat consumption in a Stanford University dining hall: a randomized controlled trial

Alessandra L Marcone et al. BMC Nutr. .

Abstract

Background: Assess the impact of an educational Planetary Health Plate (PHP) graphic on meat-related dietary choices of Stanford University dining hall patrons using a randomized controlled trial crossover design. All patrons entering the dining hall during study periods were enrolled as participants. Control, n = 631; PHP, n = 547.

Methods: Compare dietary behavior without signage to behavior while exposed to PHP during four equivalent dinner meals. The primary outcome was total meat-dish weight adjusted for the number of people entering the dining hall. Secondary outcomes included the number of meat-dish servings and average meat-dish serving weight. Analysis using T-tests, Poisson generalized linear model.

Results: Differences in total meat-dish weight, (1.54 kg; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = -4.41,1.33; P = .19) and average meat-dish serving weight (0.03 kg; 95% CI = 0.00, 0.06; P = .07) between PHP and control patrons did not reach significance. The rate at which PHP patrons took meat was significantly lower (Incidence Rate Ratio 0.80; 95% CI = 0.71, 0.91; P < .001).

Conclusion: Exposure to an educational plate graphic decreased the proportion of patrons taking meat but had no impact on total meat consumption or meat-dish serving weight. Statistical methods used in this study may inform future investigations on dietary change in the dining hall setting. Further research on the role of educational signage in influencing dietary behavior is warranted, with an aim to improve human health and environmental sustainability.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05565859, registered 4 October 2022.

Keywords: Behavior change; Direct behavioral outcome; Educational signage; Environmental sustainability; Planetary Health Plate.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Planetary Health Plate (PHP) graphic featuring diet based on the EAT Lancet Planetary Health Diet
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Placement of signs on sneeze guard in front of animal protein options
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Visualization of allocation of participants into interventions by the CONSORT flow chart for Randomized Controlled Trials
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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