Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
07:07
Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice
Published on: June 5, 2016
An exploratory study on portion size estimation errors: psychological correlates of portion size estimation errors in
Mayron Piccolo1,2,3, Tanya Tandon4, Dany Laure Wadji5
1Department of Psychology, Harvard University, William James Hall 844, 33 Kirkland Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA. mpiccolo@fas.harvard.edu.
Eating and Weight Disorders : EWD
|May 18, 2026
Summary
Accurate portion size perception is key for healthy eating. This study found that higher dietary restraint in normal-weight adults correlates with greater portion estimation errors, but not BMI.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Nutrition Science
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Accurate perception of food portion sizes is crucial for healthy eating behaviors.
- Limited research exists on the psychological factors influencing portion size estimation in normal-weight adults without clinical eating disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the association between portion size estimation errors and psychological correlates of eating.
- To investigate the influence of consumption intent (self vs. other) on portion estimation.
- To examine the relationship between estimation errors, psychological variables (dietary restraint, shape/weight overvaluation, body dissatisfaction), and body mass index (BMI).
Main Methods:
- Seventy-one normal-weight adults (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²) without psychiatric disorders participated.
- Eating psychopathology was assessed using the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire.
- Portion estimation was measured using the Portion Estimation Task under general and self-intent conditions.
Main Results:
- Consumption intent did not significantly affect portion size estimation.
- Portion estimation errors were positively correlated with Dietary Restraint (r=0.27, p=0.021).
- No significant correlation was found between estimation errors and Shape/Weight Overvaluation or Body Dissatisfaction.
Conclusions:
- In normal-weight adults without eating disorders, increased dietary restraint is linked to larger portion size estimation biases.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) and body-related concerns were associated with weight status, not directly with portion estimation errors.
- Findings are exploratory and require replication in larger, diverse populations.
Related Concept Videos
01:52Regression Toward the Mean
Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
01:25Self-Regulation
Self-regulation, also known as self-control, encompasses a range of cognitive and behavioral processes that allow individuals to adjust their internal states and outward actions to align with socially acceptable norms and long-term goals. It plays a fundamental role in adaptive functioning, from resisting impulsive behaviors to persisting through challenging tasks. While its benefits are widely recognized, self-regulation is not limitless. Muraven and Baumeister's theory posits that...
01:06What are Estimates?
It isn't easy to measure a parameter such as the mean height or the mean weight of a population. So, we draw samples from the population and calculate the mean height or mean weight of the individuals in the sample. This sample data acts as a representative measure of the population parameter. These sample statistics are known as estimates.
The estimate for the mean of a sample is denoted by ͞x, whereas the mean of the population is designated as μ. Further, parameters such as the mean,...
The estimate for the mean of a sample is denoted by ͞x, whereas the mean of the population is designated as μ. Further, parameters such as the mean,...
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
02:16Self-Schemas
In general, a schema is a mental construct consisting of a cluster or collection of related concepts (Bartlett, 1932). There are many different types of schemata, and they all have one thing in common: schemata are a method of organizing information that allows the brain to work more efficiently. When a schema is activated, the brain makes immediate assumptions about the person or object being observed.