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Portion-size preference as a function of individuals' body mass index
N M Reily1, C P Herman2, L R Vartanian1
1School of Psychology UNSW Australia Sydney New South Wales Australia.
Obesity Science & Practice
|October 7, 2016
Summary
Heavier individuals do not prefer larger food portions than lighter individuals. Portion size selection is not linked to body mass index (BMI), suggesting other factors influence obesity rates.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Obesity Research
- Nutritional Psychology
Background:
- Rising obesity rates are often attributed to large food portions.
- Previous assumptions suggest heavier individuals may prefer larger portions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between body weight and portion size preference.
- To determine if individuals with higher body mass index (BMI) select larger food portions.
Main Methods:
- 798 participants evaluated portion sizes in hypothetical meal scenarios.
- Methods included choosing between small/large portions, indicating ideal portions, and selecting preferred portion sizes from pairs.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in portion size selection were found between heavier and lighter participants.
- Analysis using different body mass index (BMI) categories (<25 vs. ≥25, <30 vs. ≥30) and continuous BMI showed no association.
Conclusions:
- Portion size preference does not appear to be associated with body mass index (BMI).
- Factors beyond portion size, such as meal frequency and eating behaviors, may be more critical in understanding obesity prevalence.
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