Unit size influences ad libitum intake in a snacking context via eating rate
Madeline M Harper1, Paige M Cunningham1, Ciarán G Forde2
1Sensory Evaluation Center, The Pennsylvania State University, USA; Department of Food Science, The Pennsylvania State University, USA.
Appetite
|March 10, 2024
Summary
Food unit size significantly impacts how much people eat by altering eating speed and bite size. Modifying food properties like unit size could help control snack consumption.
Area of Science:
- Food science
- Nutritional science
- Behavioral science
Background:
- Food properties, such as unit size, can influence energy intake.
- The mechanisms linking food unit size to intake are not fully understood.
- Eating microstructure, including eating rate and bite size, may mediate this relationship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between food unit size, eating microstructure, and energy intake.
- To determine if eating microstructure mediates the effect of unit size on intake.
Main Methods:
- A randomized crossover study involving 75 adults.
- Participants consumed a 70-g snack of pretzels in small, medium, or large unit sizes.
- Intake, eating rate, and bite size were measured; sessions were video-recorded.
Main Results:
- Larger pretzel unit sizes led to significantly increased intake (grams and kcal).
- Unit size influenced eating rate and bite size, with larger sizes resulting in faster eating and larger bites.
- The effect of unit size on intake became non-significant after accounting for eating microstructure.
Conclusions:
- Food unit size influences energy intake primarily by affecting eating microstructure.
- Eating microstructure, specifically eating rate and bite size, appears to be the driving factor.
- Food properties like unit size can be manipulated to moderate snack consumption.
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