Effects of social modeling on young women's nutrient-dense food intake

Appetite. 2009 Aug;53(1):135-8. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2009.05.004. Epub 2009 May 13.

Abstract

We examined whether a same-sex peer's vegetable consumption would predict the number of vegetable pieces eaten by the participant. A total of 116 Dutch women (M age = 20.28; M BMI = 21.68) participated. Their nutrient-dense food intake was measured during a 15-min break between two tasks, consisting of rating television advertisements. Participants consumed more vegetables when exposed to a peer eating a large number of vegetables than when exposed to a peer eating a small number or nothing. These findings suggest that social modeling processes may be relevant to interventions aimed at encouraging young women's nutrient-dense food intake.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Body Mass Index
  • Diet
  • Eating / psychology*
  • Female
  • Food Preferences
  • Humans
  • Netherlands
  • Peer Group*
  • Social Behavior
  • Social Environment*
  • Vegetables*