Food portion size and energy density evoke different patterns of brain activation in children

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.

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Influence of nutrition labelling on food portion size consumption

Appetite ◽

10.1016/j.appet.2013.02.013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 65 ◽

pp. 153-158 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Mary T. McCann ◽

Julie M.W. Wallace ◽

Paula J. Robson ◽

Kirsten L. Rennie ◽

Tracy A. McCaffrey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Portion Size ◽

Nutrition Labelling ◽

Food Portion ◽

Food Portion Size

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Validity of photographs for food portion estimation in a rural West African setting

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980007000870 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 581-587 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

L Huybregts ◽

D Roberfroid ◽

C Lachat ◽

J Van Camp ◽

P Kolsteren

Keyword(s):

West African ◽

Portion Size ◽

Rural Setting ◽

Group Level ◽

Size Estimation ◽

Childbearing Age ◽

Food Items ◽

Food Portion ◽

Mean Differences ◽

Food Portion Size

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.

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