Size and shape of plates and size of wine glasses and bottles: impact on selection of food and alcohol
BackgroundThe physical properties of tableware could influence selection and consumption of food and alcohol. There is considerable uncertainty, however, around the potential effects of different sizes and shapes of tableware on how much food and alcohol people self-serve. AimsTo estimate the impact of: 1. Plate size and shape on amount of food self-served; 2. Wine glass and bottle size on amount of wine self-poured.Methods 140 adults participated in two laboratory studies – each using randomised within-subjects factorial designs – where they self-served food (Study 1) and wine (Study 2):Study 1: 3 plate sizes (small; medium; large) x 2 plate shapes (circular; square). Study 2: 3 wine glass sizes (small; medium; large) x 2 wine bottle sizes (75cl; 50cl). ResultsStudy 1: There was a main effect of plate size: less was self-served on small (-76 grams, p<0.001) and medium (-41 grams, p<0.001) plates, compared to large plates. There was no evidence for a main effect of plate shape (p=0.46) or a size and shape interaction (p=0.47). Study 2: There was a main effect of glass size: less was self-served in small (-34ml, p<0.001) and medium (-17ml, p<0.001) glasses, compared to large glasses. There was no evidence of a main effect of bottle size (p=0.20) or a glass and bottle size interaction (p=0.18). ConclusionSmaller tableware (i.e. plates and wine glasses) decreases the amount of food and wine self-served – a close proxy for consumption. Future studies are required to generate estimates of effects on consumption in real world settings.