Large portion sizes increase bite size and eating rate in overweight women

Melina Tsiountsioura,Ivonne Solis-Trapala,Jianhua Wu,Susan A. Jebb,Hannah B. Lewis,Eva Almiron-Roig

doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.11.041

Melina Tsiountsioura, Ivonne Solis-Trapala + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.11.041

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Abstract

ObjectiveLarger food portions lead to increased intake but the mechanism behind this effect is unclear. We investigated the effect of portion size on bite size, eating rate, deceleration rate, and meal duration. Design and methodsThirty-seven overweight women attended 5 visits after a 3h fast and consumed a 229, 303, 400, 529 or 700g portion of a lunch meal in random order. Meal eating parameters were measured with the Sussex Ingestion Pattern Monitor. Data were analyzed with mixed effects models. ResultsAverage bite size increased by 0.22g for every 100g increase in portion size (p=0.001); portion size had a non-linear effect on eating rate, increasing with portion sizes up to about 540g (p=0.01). Deceleration rate (reduction in speed of eating) decreased by 20% (p<0.001) and meal duration increased by 22.5% for every 100g increase in portion size (p<0.001), relative to the smallest portion. ConclusionsIncreasing portion size led to a larger bite size and faster eating rate, but a slower reduction in eating speed during the meal. These changes may underlie greater energy intakes with exposure to large portions. Interventions to reduce bite size and slow eating rate may provide individuals with strategies to reduce the risk of overconsumption.

Highlights

Exposure to larger portion sizes has been linked with increased intake both in children and adults, and across a variety of foods and settings [1,2] the mechanisms underpinning this effect are unclear
We investigated the effect of portion size on bite size, eating rate, deceleration rate, and meal duration
Average bite size increased by 0.22 g for every 100 g increase in portion size (p = 0.001); portion size had a non-linear effect on eating rate, increasing with portion sizes up to about 540 g (p = 0.01)

Summary

Introduction

Exposure to larger portion sizes has been linked with increased intake both in children and adults, and across a variety of foods and settings [1,2] the mechanisms underpinning this effect are unclear. A recent systematic review of controlled laboratory studies has shown that a faster eating rate is associated with greater energy intake [6]. Some of these parameters are inherently linked, for example, eating rate is affected by bite size [7,8], which is associated with the amount of food eaten [3,9]

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