NCT07156162

Effectiveness of Taste vs. Health-Based Messaging to Improve Diet Quality

Comparing the Effectiveness of Taste vs. Health-Based Messaging Using Nutrition Education Videos on Increasing Herb and Spice Use to Improve Diet Quality

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 514 (actual)
• Sponsor: Penn State University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 75 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of taste vs. health messaging using nutrition education videos. The investigators aim to compare and test 2 taste-based messaging vs. 2 health-based messaging that translate previous findings of how spices can improve diet quality. These objectives will be pursued via the following hypothesis: Hypothesis 1: Are taste messaging videos more effective in improving consumer interest, knowledge, and confidence in using herbs and spices compared to health messaging focused videos? Hypothesis 2: Will consumers rate the taste messaging videos higher for liking, engagement, and acceptability of herbs and spices compared to health messaging focused videos?

Detailed description

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: the first group (n\~200) will view two taste messaging focused videos emphasizing taste and flavor first followed by the two health messaging focused videos. The second group (n\~200) will receive the two health messaging focused videos emphasizing the importance of using herbs to improve health first followed by the two taste messaging focused videos. Randomization will occur using R and the randomization feature will be embedded in the survey. Both groups will have access to the same educational content but the time of viewing the messaging video will differ according to the taste or health focused arm. Participants will complete screening questions first, and if eligible, an online consent form. Participants will also complete an evaluation questionnaire after watching the taste messaging focused videos and after watching the health messaging focused videos. After participants have completed those questionnaires, they will be provided with a list of measures on why they liked a video and will be able to select if they preferred one over the other, as well as their feedback on the videos, and a demographics questionnaire. Investigators will use participants responses for analysis. All participants will complete the survey questions online using their own device.

Conditions

• Behavior, Health

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Videos: Taste vs Health	Participants in this intervention will watch taste and health focused messaging videos to determine which version is better suited to improve herb and spice usage to improve diet quality in American adults.
OTHER	Health vs. Taste	Participants in this intervention will watch health and taste focused messaging videos to determine which version is better suited to improve herb and spice usage to improve diet quality in American adults.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-12-11
• Primary completion: 2026-01-05
• Completion: 2026-01-05
• First posted: 2025-09-05
• Last updated: 2026-04-09

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States