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The objective of this study was to determine how the portion size of a packaged snack affects energy intake of the snack and of the subsequent meal. On five separate days, 60 subjects (34 women and 26 men) ate an afternoon snack and dinner in individual cubicles. For each snack, subjects were served one of five packages of potato chips (28, 42, 85, 128, or 170 g), which they consumed ad libitum directly...
The effects of food unit size (FU) and energy density (ED) on food consumption were explored in 20 adults using a within subjects 2x2 design study. The four food treatment combinations were provided in the laboratory in random order on four non-consecutive days. The foods differed in FU (small food unit (SFU) or customary food unit (CFU)) and energy density, by manipulating fat content (low (LED)...
Twenty years of testing in the field has consistently revealed that food intake is inadequate when packaged military rations are fed as the sole source of food. Food intake is much lower and there is a loss of body weight. Conversely when these rations are fed to students or military personnel for periods ranging from 3 to 42 days in a cafeteria-like setting, food intake is comparable to levels of...
The portion size of foods has been identified as an important environmental factor known to affect short-term energy intake. Experiments that were conducted both in the free-living environment and in laboratory-based settings to investigate the effects of portion size on energy intake unanimously showed that as the portion size of food increased, so did subjects' energy intake. Despite the fact that...
This study investigated how the air content of a familiar snack food affected energy intake and whether varying the method of serving the snack modified intake. We tested two versions of an extruded snack (cheese puffs) that were equal in energy density (5.7kcal/g), but differed in energy per volume (less-aerated snack: 1.00kcal/ml; more-aerated snack: 0.45kcal/ml). In a within-subjects design, 16...
Most of our food likes and disliked are learned. Relevant forms of associative learning have been identified in animals. However, observations of the same associative processes are relatively scarce in humans. The first section of this paper outlines reasons why this might be the case. Emphasis is placed on recent research exploring individual differences and the importance or otherwise of hunger...
In three cross-over experiments, we examined the effect on energy intake of changing the size of the plate used at a meal. On separate days, adults were served the same lunch menu but were given a different-sized plate. In the first study, 45 participants used each of three plate sizes (17, 22, or 26cm) and served the main course from a large dish. In the second study, 30 participants received an...
This paper (i) explores the proposition that body weight is associated with large portion sizes and (ii) introduces a new technique for measuring everyday portion size. In our paradigm, the participant is shown a picture of a food portion and is asked to indicate whether it is larger or smaller than their usual portion. After responding to a range of different portions an estimate of everyday portion...
Humans have expectations about the satiety that is likely to develop after consuming particular foods. These expectations are potentially important, because they may influence decisions about meal size. Despite this, very little is known about the basis on which satiety expectations are formulated. This work introduces a methodology (based on a method of constant stimuli) that quantifies differences...
Previously, we have used a ‘method of constant stimuli’ to quantify the satiety that different foods are expected to deliver. Our data indicate that foods differ considerably (some are expected to deliver 5–6 times more satiety than others [per kcal]). In the present study we explored the relative importance of ‘expected satiety’ in decisions about portion size. For eight different snack foods, we...
Calorie-for-calorie, foods differ considerably in the extent to which they are expected to deliver satiation. We sought to demonstrate that flavour–nutrient learning modifies these expectations. On day 1, participants (N=56) tasted a novel dessert and then completed a measure of expected satiation. Participants then consumed either a low (228kcal) or high (568kcal) energy-dense dessert (sensory characteristics...
This questionnaire study assessed people's consumption intentions regarding two pack king size chocolate bars. Results showed that 92.9% of the respondents (n=143) intended to finish the chocolate bar within 1 day. The most important purchase considerations were hunger and not having considered the size. Furthermore, dietary restraint reduced the odds of a respondent intending to finish the two pack...
Expected satiation (the extent to which a food is expected to deliver fullness) is an excellent predictor of self-selected portion size (kcal). Here, we explored the prospect that expected satiation changes over time. Fifty-eight participants evaluated expected satiation in eight test foods (including two ‘candidate’ foods: sushi and muesli) and reported how often they consumed each food. In one of...
Self-selected meals tend to be consumed in their entirety. Nevertheless, relatively little is known about the cognition associated with meal planning. Previously, we have shown that expected satiation is an excellent predictor of the energy content of self-selected meals. In the present study we sought to quantify the extent to which this relationship is mediated by differences in the perceived volume...
The customary approach to the study of meal size suggests that ‘events’ occurring during a meal lead to its termination. Recent research, however, suggests that a number of decisions are made before eating commences that may affect meal size. The present study sought to address three key research questions around meal size: the extent to which plate-cleaning occurs; prevalence of pre-meal planning...
This study tested whether varying the portion of low-energy-dense vegetable soup served at the start of a meal affects meal energy and vegetable intakes in children. Subjects were 3- to 5-year-olds (31 boys and 41 girls) in daycare facilities. Using a crossover design, children were served lunch once a week for four weeks. On three occasions, different portions of tomato soup (150, 225, and 300g)...
Portion size has increased considerably over the past few decades and one influencing factor is dishware size. Using mathematical models we investigated how dish size affects the potential energy available in a meal. Two types of plate filling – flat and conical – were modelled for a range of plate sizes and energy densities, then compared to recommended daily energy requirements from Australian guidelines...
While larger containers have been found to increase food intake, it is unclear whether this effect is driven by container size, portion size, or their combination, as these variables are usually confounded. The study was advertised as examining the effects of snack food consumption on information processing and participants were served M&M’s for free consumption in individual cubicles while watching...
Previously, expected satiety (ES) has been measured using software and two-dimensional pictures presented on a computer screen. In this context, ES is an excellent predictor of self-selected portions, when quantified using similar images and similar software. In the present study we sought to establish the veracity of ES as a predictor of behaviours associated with real foods. Participants (N=30)...
The present study assessed whether factual nutritional information on portion sizes helps consumers to select healthier meals. 124 people were invited to serve themselves lunch from a ‘fake food buffet’ containing 55 replica food items. Participants in the control group were instructed to serve themselves a meal, as they would normally eat from the given selections (control). Participants in the second...
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