portion size 2 Flashcards

1
Q

portion size and intake

A

Studies indicate that doubling the portion size can lead to a 35% increase in calorie consumption on average, contributing to excessive daily energy intake (Zlatevska et al., 2014). This effect persists across various settings, including restaurants, homes, and workplaces, highlighting its broad influence on dietary behavior (Hollands et al., 2015; Almiron-Roig et al., 2018).

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2
Q

underlying mechanisms

A

The mechanisms driving PSE include visual and psychological cues. People often rely on the size of the portion served to gauge an appropriate amount to eat, a behavior influenced by learned norms and the availability of larger portion sizes in modern environments (Ello-Martin et al., 2005). Additionally, larger portions can override satiety signals, leading to overconsumption without conscious awareness (Rolls et al., 2014).

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3
Q

implications for obesity

A

Over time, repeated exposure to larger portions contributes to positive energy balance and weight gain. This pattern has been observed alongside societal increases in portion sizes (Wsnkin and van ittersum 2013) and obesity rates, with some researchers arguing that portion control could be a pivotal intervention for curbing the obesity epidemic (Hollands et al., 2015; Rolls, 2014) however, longitudinal effects are still complex.

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4
Q

reducing this problem

A

Reducing portion sizes or reconfiguring how food is served (e.g., through smaller packaging or dividing food into smaller units) may help counteract PSE. However in adults this appears to have mixed results, and in children this has not been studies enough… However those still learning should be more susceptible to this effect (Hetherington and Blundell 2018)

Educational campaigns and policies promoting standardized serving sizes could also support healthier eating behaviors (Almiron-Roig et al., 2018; Wansink, 2010).

offering smaller, segmented portions can lead to lower consumption by introducing natural stopping points (Kerameas et al., 2015)

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5
Q

issues with portion size research

A

However, the reliance on laboratory settings in many studies can limit generalizability. For instance, participants in controlled environments may be more conscious of their eating behaviors than they would be in naturalistic settings, potentially skewing results. Furthermore, these studies often use fixed menus, which do not reflect the variety available in real-world food environments, where factors like food choice and sensory appeal also influence intake (Hollands et al., 2015).

While these mechanisms are well-documented, much of the evidence comes from short-term studies. Longitudinal research is limited (Rolls 2006) , making it difficult to assess how sustained exposure to large portions impacts long-term eating behaviors and weight gain. Moreover, individual differences, such as dietary restraint or susceptibility to external food cues, are often underexplored

However, these strategies face practical challenges. Reducing portion sizes might provoke resistance from consumers accustomed to larger servings, particularly in cultures where generosity is associated with food quantity. Similarly, segmented portions may inadvertently increase waste or production costs, deterring widespread adoption by food manufacturers (Rolls, 2014).

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6
Q

portion sizes and eating settings

A

Liu et al., 2024 and Raghoebar et al., 2019=
research has found that social norms about what is considered an appropriate portion size can lead to increased food intake when larger portions are normalized in group settings. This effect is particularly pronounced in environments like restaurants or gatherings, where people are exposed to larger portion norms or observe others consuming larger amounts. The phenomenon is linked to both descriptive norms (what others do) and injunctive norms (what is perceived as socially acceptable)

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