Dividing a fixed portion into more pieces leads to larger portion size estimates of JELL-O squares

Perception. 2012;41(8):988-90. doi: 10.1068/p7199.

Abstract

How visual qualities of a food impact perceptions of the amount of food present and consumed have been studied. Previous research has investigated many factors affecting these perceptions, including the height of a glass, the size of a serving bowl, and other food intake cues. We investigated how the number of pieces a serving is divided into impacts perceptions of the amount of food present and consumed. Results indicate that dividing a fixed portion into a greater number of pieces leads people to perceive a greater amount of food in the serving.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cues
  • Eating / physiology
  • Eating / psychology*
  • Energy Intake / physiology
  • Feeding Behavior / physiology
  • Feeding Behavior / psychology*
  • Female
  • Food*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Personal Satisfaction
  • Satiety Response / physiology
  • Size Perception / physiology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult