NCT07329452

Menu to Meal (M2M) Menu Labeling Intervention Study

Menu to Meal (M2M): Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Digital Nutritional Labeling Intervention in Hispanic Restaurant Settings

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 240 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Texas A&M University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study evaluates the impact of culturally tailored menu labeling interventions on psychosocial factors and ordering behavior among customers in two independently owned Hispanic restaurants in East-Central Texas. Participants will be exposed to one of three sequential menu conditions at each restaurant: (1) a standard menu without nutrition information, (2) a paper menu with bilingual nutrition labels, or (3) a digital menu app enhanced with Augmented Reality (AR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) providing interactive nutrition guidance. The study will assess whether menu formats influence nutrition literacy, decision-making confidence, self-efficacy, attitudes, behavioral intentions, and actual ordering behavior. Data will be collected through surveys, purchase receipts, and app interaction logs.

Detailed description

Detailed Description: This study aims to design and evaluate a culturally tailored, bilingual menu labeling intervention incorporating AR and AI features in small, independently owned Hispanic restaurants. The intervention seeks to promote informed food ordering by targeting psychosocial constructs known to influence food choice. Three sequential conditions will be implemented: (1) baseline with standard menus and no nutrition labels, (2) paper menus with visible bilingual nutrition labels, and (3) a digital AR/AI-enhanced menu. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Cognitive Theory, the study focuses on constructs such as decision-making confidence, self-efficacy, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. The two primary objectives are to (1) develop a culturally informed digital menu labeling tool and (2) evaluate its effectiveness compared with standard and paper menu formats in shaping psychosocial factors and actual ordering behavior. Participants will be recruited during restaurant visits and exposed to the menu condition corresponding to their visit timing. Surveys will be administered before ordering to assess psychosocial factors, label awareness, and behavioral intentions. A formative needs assessment conducted prior to implementation will ensure cultural and linguistic appropriateness. Findings will provide evidence on the effectiveness of innovative, theory-informed digital interventions in promoting informed food choices in culturally specific restaurant settings not subject to federal nutrition labeling requirements.

Conditions

• Behavior, Eating

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Paper menu	Paper menu with bilingual nutrition labels
BEHAVIORAL	Digital menu condition	AR/AI-enhanced digital menu giving interactive nutrition guidance

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-11-17
• Primary completion: 2026-05-01
• Completion: 2026-12-01
• First posted: 2026-01-09
• Last updated: 2026-01-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States