scholarly journals Larger portions make me eat more: Awareness of the external factors that influence food intake

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory S Keenan ◽  
Florence Sheen ◽  
Ashleigh Haynes ◽  
Charlotte Hardman

There is consistent evidence that the amount of food people consume can be influenced by external factors, such as food portion size or the amount of food others are eating. However research studies to date have suggested that people are generally unaware of the influence that these external factors have on food intake. In the present research we directly tested whether consumers are aware of how external factors can affect their food intake. In Study 1 we re-analysed data from a study in which an effect of portion size on food intake was observed and post-consumption, participants were asked whether they believed portion size had influenced their food intake. In Study 2 participants were asked to indicate whether several different external factors known to increase food intake would be likely to increase, decrease or have no effect on how much they would eat in hypothetical scenarios. In Study 1, a large proportion of participants (56%) believed that their food intake was influenced by portion size. In Study 2, a large proportion of participants accurately identified that external factors known to affect eating behaviour would be likely to increase their food intake: portion size (73%), social influence (40%), food variety (75%), and distraction (59%). Together these results suggest that consumers show awareness of the influence that external factors have on their food intake.

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Gibney ◽  
Aifric O’Sullivan ◽  
Albert Flynn ◽  
Janette Walton ◽  
Hannelore Daniel ◽  
...  

The present study set out to explore the option of developing food portion size for nutritional labelling purposes using two European Union (EU) dietary surveys. The surveys were selected as they differed in (a) methodologies (food diary versus food frequency questionnaire), (b) populations (Irish National Adult Nutrition Survey (NANS) versus a seven-country survey based on the pan EU study Food4Me), (c) food quantification (multiple options versus solely photographic album) and (d) duration (4 consecutive days versus recent month). Using data from these studies, portion size was determined for 15 test foods, where portion size was defined as the median intake of a target food when consumed. The median values of the portion sizes derived from both the NANS and Food4Me surveys were correlated (r = 0.823; p < 0.00) and the mean of the two survey data sets were compared to US values from the Recognized as Customarily Consumed (RACC) database. There was very strong agreement across all food categories between the averaged EU and the US portion size (r = 0.947; p < 0.00). It is concluded that notwithstanding the variety of approaches used for dietary survey data in the EU, the present data supports using a standardized approach to food portion size quantification for food labelling in the EU.


Appetite ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 65 ◽  
pp. 153-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary T. McCann ◽  
Julie M.W. Wallace ◽  
Paula J. Robson ◽  
Kirsten L. Rennie ◽  
Tracy A. McCaffrey ◽  
...  

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 581-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Huybregts ◽  
D Roberfroid ◽  
C Lachat ◽  
J Van Camp ◽  
P Kolsteren

AbstractObjectiveTo validate food photographs for food portion size estimation of frequently consumed dishes, to be used in a 24-hour recall food consumption study of pregnant women in a rural environment in Burkina Faso. This food intake study is part of an intervention evaluating the efficacy of prenatal micronutrient supplementation on birth outcomes.SubjectsWomen of childbearing age (15–45 years).DesignA food photograph album containing four photographs of food portions per food item was compiled for eight selected food items. Subjects were presented two food items each in the morning and two in the afternoon. These foods were weighed to the exact weight of a food depicted in one of the photographs and were in the same receptacles. The next day another fieldworker presented the food photographs to the subjects to test their ability to choose the correct photograph.ResultsThe correct photograph out of the four proposed was chosen in 55% of 1028 estimations. For each food, proportions of underestimating and overestimating participants were balanced, except for rice and couscous. On a group level, mean differences between served and estimated portion sizes were between −8.4% and 6.3%. Subjects who attended school were almost twice as likely to choose the correct photograph. The portion size served (small vs. largest sizes) had a significant influence on the portion estimation ability.ConclusionsThe results from this study indicate that in a West African rural setting, food photographs can be a valuable tool for the quantification of food portion size on group level.


2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 230-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Marie Timon ◽  
S. E. Cooper ◽  
M. E. Barker ◽  
A. J. Astell ◽  
T. Adlam ◽  
...  

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2845 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanne Raghoebar ◽  
Ashleigh Haynes ◽  
Eric Robinson ◽  
Ellen Van Kleef ◽  
Emely De Vet

Portion sizes of commercially available foods have increased, and there is evidence that exposure to portion sizes recalibrates what is perceived as ‘normal’ and subsequently, how much food is selected and consumed. The present study aims to explore the role of social (descriptive and injunctive) and personal portion size norms in this effect. Across two experiments, participants were either visually exposed to (Study 1, N = 329) or actually served (Study 2, N = 132) a smaller or larger than normal food portion. After 24 h, participants reported their intended consumption (Study 1) or served themselves and consumed (Study 2) a portion of that food and reported perceived portion size norms. In Study 1, visual exposure to portion size did not significantly affect intended consumption and perceived portion size norms. In Study 2, participants consumed a smaller portion of food when they were served a smaller rather than a larger portion the previous day, which was mediated by perceived descriptive and injunctive social (but not personal) portion size norms. Results suggest that being served (but not mere visual exposure to) smaller (relative to larger) portions changes perceived social norms about portion size and this may reduce future consumption of that food.


1995 ◽  
Vol 95 (9) ◽  
pp. A23
Author(s):  
Jamie Stang ◽  
Mary Story ◽  
Mary Zollman

2016 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laural K English ◽  
S Nicole Fearnbach ◽  
Stephen J Wilson ◽  
Jennifer O Fisher ◽  
Jennifer S Savage ◽  
...  

2007 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Foster ◽  
M. O'Keeffe ◽  
J. N. S. Matthews ◽  
J. C. Mathers ◽  
M. Nelson ◽  
...  

For food intakes to be converted into nutrient intakes a measure or estimate of the amount of food consumed is required. A number of methods have been developed to assist subjects in providing an estimate of portion size. Children's ability to use perception, conceptualisation and memory skills to estimate food portion size has not been investigated systematically. The aim of the present study was to test the effect of the timing of a dietary interview on the accuracy of estimates of food portion sizes made by children, using food photographs, food models and an interactive portion size assessment system, developed for use with children and based on portion sizes of foods consumed by children. Children (n 108) aged 4–14 years were supplied with known quantities of foods and asked to estimate the portion size of each food using each of the three portion size assessment tools. Interviews took place (a) with the food in view, (b) just after the child had eaten the food or (c) 24 h after the child had eaten the food. There were no significant differences in children's ability to estimate food portion size (either as served or as eaten) with timing of interview. That is, children were as accurate in their estimates of portion size 24 h after consuming the food as when the food was in view. Under these conditions many children were able to estimate food portion size utilising perception, conceptualisation and memory skills.


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