Children eat what they are served: the imprecise regulation of energy intake.

Total daily food intake of 16 preschool children 4-6 years of age were collected from 5 to 7 consecutive days. The most powerful determinant of the amount of food consumed at meals was amount served (r=0.77, P<0.0001). Although intake at meals (snacks were considered a meals) was significantly negatively correlated with the amount and energy intake at the previous meal (r=-0.27, P=0.0001), the amount served was also negatively correlated with the amount served at the previous meal (P<0.02). Children did not adjust the amount consumed in response to the energy density of the meal resulting in an energy intake that was directly related to the energy density of the meals (P<0.0001). In addition, intake at meals was not depressed by energy consumed as snacks between meals. The present results indicate that eating behavior of children is similar to adults in that they display very poor regulation of energy intake and are responsive to environmental stimuli. The conclusion from this study is that both the cause of overweight in children, as well as its prevention, may lie in the hands of the caregiver.