Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026

Methods for Presenting Real-world Objects Under Controlled Laboratory Conditions
Published on: June 21, 2019
Container size influences snack food intake independently of portion size
David Marchiori1, Olivier Corneille, Olivier Klein
1Social Psychology Unit, Université Libre de Bruxelles, CP 122, 50, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt, B-1050 Bruxelles, Belgium. dmarchio@ulb.ac.be
Abstract:
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 a TV show. Participants were served (1) a medium portion of M&M's in a small (n=30) or (2) in a large container (n=29), or (3) a large portion in a large container (n=29). The larger container increased intake by 129% (199 kcal) despite holding portion size constant, while controlling for different confounding variables. This research suggests that larger containers stimulate food intake over and above their impact on portion size.
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of Food Intake
Self-Regulation
Sample Size Calculation
The sample size for the given experiment or sampling effort is fundamental to any study design. Sample size decides the number of...
Self-Schemas

