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ABSTRACT

  • Objective: Investigate if environmental cues (packaging and container size) can increase intake of less palatable foods.

  • Design, Setting, and Participants: 2 × 2 design involving 158 moviegoers in Philadelphia (57.6% male, average age 28.7) given 120 g or 240 g of popcorn (fresh or stale).

  • Outcome Measures and Results:

    • Fresh popcorn consumption increased by 45.3% in large containers.

    • Even stale popcorn intake increased by 33.6% in large containers.

  • Conclusions and Implications: Overeating occurs with larger packages regardless of food palatability; portion sizes can promote healthier food consumption.

INTRODUCTION

  • Investigation on whether overeating is due to food liking or environmental cues.

  • Common belief: consumption volume depends on food taste, but environmental factors might play a larger role.

  • Environmental Influences: Size of serving and container significantly affect intake (18% to 45% increase in various foods).

    • Example: Super Bowl party attendees served themselves 53% more from larger bowls.

    • Distraction may cause people to consume more without monitoring their intake.

METHOD

  • Study conducted in a theater; participants invited to evaluate concessions after a movie.

  • 158 participants assigned to four conditions: medium (120 g) or large (240 g) popcorn; either fresh or stale (14 days old).

  • Popcorn was pre-weighed, and leftover popcorn measured after the movie.

  • Participants filled a questionnaire about the popcorn’s taste and quality.

RESULTS

  • Average Consumption: 45.3% more popcorn from large containers than medium for fresh popcorn.

  • For stale popcorn, a 33.6% increase was also observed.

  • Perception vs. Actual Consumption: 41.6% of popcorn intake was attributed to container size and freshness rather than perceived quality or taste.

CONCLUSIONS

  • Environmental cues greatly influence food intake, even for unpalatable options.

  • Evidence suggests these cues could be utilized to increase consumption of healthier foods in various populations.

Practical Implications for Nutrition Educators

  1. Recognize how portion size can impact consumption of both enjoyable and less preferred foods.

  2. Increase healthful food consumption (e.g., raw vegetables) through larger portion sizes.

  3. Suggest serving strategies tailored to the healthfulness of food items.

ABSTRACTObjective: Study the impact of environmental cues (packaging and container size) on food intake.Design: 2 × 2 design with 158 moviegoers in Philadelphia, served 120 g or 240 g of popcorn (fresh or stale).Results: Fresh popcorn consumption increased by 45.3% in large containers; stale popcorn by 33.6%.Conclusion: Larger packages promote overeating, regardless of palatability, suggesting portion sizes can enhance healthier food choices.

INTRODUCTIONInvestigated whether overeating is influenced more by environmental cues than food taste.Key finding: Serving size and container dimensions significantly affect intake (18% to 45% increase).Distraction also contributes to increased consumption.

METHODStudy conducted in a theater with 158 participants evaluating concessions post-movie, divided into four conditions: medium vs. large, fresh vs. stale popcorn.Leftover popcorn measured after the movie, taste and quality assessed through questionnaires.

RESULTSAverage Consumption: 45.3% more fresh popcorn from large containers; 33.6% more stale.41.6% of intake attributable to container size and freshness, not taste.

CONCLUSIONSEnvironmental cues strongly influence food intake, including less desirable foods.Practical implications: Use larger portion sizes to promote healthier food consumption.