Intake Promoting Effects of Large Portions in Children



Status:Completed
Conditions:Food Studies
Therapuetic Areas:Pharmacology / Toxicology
Healthy:No
Age Range:5 - 6
Updated:7/14/2018
Start Date:October 2005
End Date:April 2011

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The purpose of this study is to test the effects of large food portions on children's eating.
Experiment 1 will test the effect of portion size on children's consumption of sweetened
beverages; we hypothesize that serving large beverage portions will increase the amount of
energy children consume from this food. Experiment 2 will test the effects of portion size on
children's intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) affect intake whether such effects are
moderated by children's FV preferences and; we hypothesize that serving large fruit and
vegetable portions will produce increases in children's intake of these foods, particularly
for children who like fruit and vegetables. Experiment 3 will evaluate how food energy
density affects children's response to large portions; we hypothesize that large portions
will have the greatest influence on children's energy consumption when foods are energy
dense. Experiment 4 will begin to address perceptual mechanisms by which large portions
affect children's eating.

The emerging epidemic of overweight among underscores the need to identify contributing
environmental factors. Marketplace trends for excessive and growing portion sizes in and
outside the home have reinforced concerns that large portions may directly contribute by
promoting excessive intake. To date, however, systematic investigation of portion size
effects on children's eating has been extremely limited. Two laboratory studies have reported
that serving large portions of macaroni and cheese to young children promoted energy
consumption at meals. Whether portion size effects would be seen with other foods of varying
energy content and preference is unknown. Of particular public health interest is whether
serving large portions may affect children's intake of sweetened beverages, fruits and
vegetables, and energy dense foods. This study will address these questions using an
experimental approach to test the effects of portion size on children's eating.

Inclusion Criteria:

- 5 to 6 years

Exclusion Criteria:

- severe food allergies

- chronic illnesses or medication use affecting food intake

- dislike of foods on the menu
We found this trial at
2
sites
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140
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Philadelphia, PA
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Houston, TX
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