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'Expected satiety' changes hunger and fullness in the inter-meal interval
Jeffrey M Brunstrom1, Steven Brown, Elanor C Hinton
1Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Bristol, 12a Priory Road, Bristol BS8 1TU, United Kingdom. Jeff.Brunstrom@Bristol.ac.uk
Appetite
|January 12, 2011
Summary
Believing a meal is larger increases feelings of fullness and reduces hunger. This expectation of satiety influences how full you feel for up to three hours after eating.
Area of Science:
- * Nutritional Psychology
- * Appetite Regulation
- * Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- * Previous research indicates significant variations in the expected satiety of foods, calorie for calorie.
- * The role of 'expected satiety' in experienced satiety remains to be causally investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To test the hypothesis that expected satiety causally influences experienced satiety.
- * To determine if visual cues about portion size impact expected satiety and subsequent appetite ratings.
Main Methods:
- * Thirty-two participants were presented with fruit smoothie ingredients, with visual cues suggesting either a small or large portion.
- * Participants rated expected satiety and appetite before and for three hours after consuming the smoothie.
Main Results:
- * Participants in the 'large portion' condition reported significantly higher expected satiety.
- * Greater fullness and less hunger were reported in the 'large portion' group, persisting for three hours.
- * Visual cues significantly influenced both expected and experienced satiety.
Conclusions:
- * Beliefs and expectations about food intake significantly impact experienced satiety.
- * The effects of expected satiety on appetite regulation are substantial and long-lasting.
- * Memory encoding of expected satiety may play a role in moderating appetite.
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