Timing of dessert but not portion size affects young childrenˈs intake at lunchtime

Abstract

In most children, diet quality is low; a circumstance that might contribute to the childhood obesity problem and that might be exacerbated by increased food intake when the portion sizes increase. We determined if children modified the amount of food and energy consumed from the main course and dessert at lunchtime, when portion sizes of the main course were increased by 50% and dessert was served with versus after the main course at lunch. Food and energy intake at lunch and the consumption at the preceding snack were measured using the plate waste method to estimate the amount of food (g) consumed and the amount of energy (kcals) consumed from these foods. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample and study results. A mixed model analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to examine the effect of portion size and timing of dessert, controlling for age, gender, classroom, study week, and interactions thereof on energy intake from the main course and dessert at lunch. Results indicated that when dessert was served after the main course, children consumed more of the main course, dessert, and both combined at the meal and portion size had no statistically significant effect. Our results suggest that the effect of the portion size of a meal component is modified by the timing of dessert.