Peer modeling influences girls' snack intake

Previous studies indicate that the presence of peers influences children's food consumption. It is assumed that one factor producing this effect in children is child modeling of food intake. The present study assesses the effect of a video model on the food intake of overweight (n=22) and nonoverweight (n=22) preadolescent girls. A 2 (weight status)x2 (small vs large serving size) factorial design was used to test the hypothesis that youth model others' food intake. Serving sizes were manipulated by showing a video model selecting and consuming either a small or a large serving of cookies. Results indicate a main effect of serving size condition, F(1,40)=5.1, P<0.05 (d=0.65; 95% confidence interval: 0.35 to 0.65), and a main effect of weight status, F(1,40)=4.9, P<0.05 (d=0.63; 95% confidence interval: 0.35 to 0.65). Participants exposed to the large serving-size condition consumed more cookies than participants exposed to the small serving-size condition and overweight participants consumed considerably more cookies than nonoverweight participants. The interaction of weight status by serving-size condition did not reach statistical significance (P=0.2). These results suggest that peer-modeling influences overweight and nonoverweight preadolescent girls' snack consumption.