A daily gratitude listing intervention is associated with selection of smaller food portion sizes

Perceived deprivation and lower social status compared to others is associated with reduced sensations of fullness, selection of larger food portion sizes, and greater energy intake. Yet, it is unknown whether opposing experiences of gratitude, or appreciation of what one has, is associated with motivation to consume less energy. We tested whether a daily gratitude listing intervention leads to reduced energy intake and selection of smaller portion sizes.

Young adults from a Singaporean university (N = 162; Mean Age = 21.59 ± 1.89; 98 female) were randomly assigned to either a daily gratitude listing intervention or daily event listing control condition for 2 weeks. Free-living energy intake was measured with food journals during the intervention period, and desired portion sizes for many foods were measured at baseline and post-intervention sessions using a virtual portion selection task.

There was no effect of the intervention on free-living energy intake, but those in the gratitude condition selected smaller portion sizes post-intervention compared to baseline; no change in portion size was observed for the control condition. The intervention reduced portion sizes for high energy-dense foods, but not lower energy-dense foods. Reduced appetite between the baseline and post-intervention sessions mediated this effect of the intervention on smaller portion sizes.

While perceived deprivation may stimulate appetite and the drive to eat, gratitude for what one has may promote satiety and intentions to eat less. Gratitude interventions may promote intentions to eat less, although effects on food intake require further investigation.