A cognitive dissonance-based intervention to reduce ultra-processed food intake: Protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite their harmful mental and physical health effects, ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are highly prevalent in the US. To maximize profits, the UPF industry designs these foods to be hyperpalatable, markets them aggressively, and influences government policies to prevent their regulation. To combat this powerful influence, individuals must be highly motivated to reduce their UPF intake. If participants learn about the harms of the UPF industry and publicly denounce the industry, they are expected to experience strong cognitive dissonance and motivation to reduce their intake of these foods.

METHODS: Through a 2 × 2 factorial design, adults with overweight/obesity (N = 60) will be randomly assigned to receive standard dietary change strategies (ON/OFF) and dissonance-based strategies (ON/OFF). All participants will receive an introductory educational workshop on UPFs. Those assigned to receive at least one of the interventions (i.e., SDC, dissonance, or both) will attend weekly group sessions for weeks 2-8.

DISCUSSION: We expect that receiving either of the strategies will lead to meaningful reductions in UPF intake, improvement in dietary quality, and reduction in weight, and that the combined effects of these strategies will be synergistic. Additionally, dissonance-inducing strategies are hypothesized to reduce outcome disparity for individuals with socio-structural barriers to healthy eating. If successful, the intervention will be tested in a larger trial with a longer intervention and follow-up.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT07226336.