Is level of intuitive eating associated with plate size effects?

Intuitive eating is an eating approach that emphasizes increased focus on internal hunger and fullness cues to regulate eating behavior; thus, successful intuitive eating should curb the influence of environmental factors such as plate and portion size on consumption. The current study examined whether self-reported levels of intuitive eating moderated the influence of portion size on college students' food consumption during an afternoon meal of pasta and tomato sauce.

Participants (N=137, 63.5% female) were randomly assigned to either a large plate (12-inch) or small plate (8-inch) external cue condition. All participants fasted for four daytime hours, completed the Intuitive Eating Scale, and then were asked to rate a meal of pasta and tomato sauce on different dimensions of taste. Participants were told that they could eat as much pasta as they would like.

Higher levels of intuitive eating were associated with greater food consumption. At the mean level of intuitive eating, participants ate more pasta in the large plate condition. Furthermore, the influence of plate size on food consumption increased as levels of intuitive eating increased.

Individuals who report high levels of intuitive eating may be more likely to eat an objectively larger amount of food in a permissive food environment, and may have implications for eating approaches that promote eating in response to internal hunger and fullness cues.