Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Iterative Development of an Innovative Smartphone-Based Dietary Assessment Tool: Traqq
Published on: March 19, 2021
Estimated portion sizes of snacks and beverages differ from reference amounts and are affected by appetite status in
Nina Brogden1, Eva Almiron-Roig
1Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Chester, Parkgate Road, Chester CH1 4BJ, UK.
Objective:
To explore the extent to which appetite status influences portion size estimation in men under laboratory conditions and to quantify how much participants' portion estimates differed from the recommended portion sizes defined by authoritative bodies (i.e. government and health professionals' reference amounts).
Design:
Repeated, randomized cross-over trial with each participant attending the laboratory on four separate occasions. At each session, participants rated the number of portions of eight foods and beverages displayed in front of them. Participants rated portions twice after consuming breakfast (full conditions) and twice after an overnight fast (hungry conditions). Portion estimates were compared with reference amounts from the British and American Dietetic Associations, from the UK Food Standards Agency and from the US Food and Drug Administration.
Setting:
Food skills laboratory, University of Chester, UK.
Subjects:
Twenty-seven non-obese men (mean age 24·9 (sd 6·5) years).
Results:
Portion size estimates for all items were significantly smaller under hungry than under full conditions (P < 0·01). Relative to reference instruments, estimates were significantly smaller for all foods except banana, irrespective of appetite status (P < 0·001).
Conclusions:
In this data set, appetite status altered the perception of food amounts. There were large discrepancies between participants' perception of a portion and recommendations from health professionals and government standards. Nutritional educational strategies should take into account the role of hunger along with a person's familiarity with existing portion size systems when advising on portion sizes.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
Regulation of Food Intake
Range
15.9; 16.1; 15.2; 14.8; 15.8; 15.9; 16.0; 15.5
Measurements of the amount of soda in a 16-ounce can vary since different subjects record these measurements or since the exact amount - 16 ounces of liquid, was not...
What are Estimates?
The estimate for the mean of a sample is denoted by ͞x, whereas the mean of the population is designated as μ. Further, parameters such as the mean,...
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
