Jennifer Orlet Fisher1. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, USDA-ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Houston, TX, USA. jfisher@bcm.tmc.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Whether developmental periods exist in which children become particularly sensitive to environmental influences on eating is unclear. This research evaluated the effects of age on intake of large and self-selected portions among children 2 to 9 years of age. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Seventy-five non-Hispanic white children 2 to 3, 5 to 6, and 8 to 9 years of age were seen at a dinner meal in reference, large, and self-selected portion size conditions in which the size of an entrée was age-appropriate, doubled, and determined by the child, respectively. Weighed food intake data were collected. Entrée bite size and bite frequency were assessed. Height and weight measurements were obtained. RESULTS: The effect of age on children's intake of the large portion was not significant. Entrée consumption was 29% greater (p < 0.001) and meal energy intake was 13% greater (p < 0.01) in the large portion condition than in the reference condition. Increases in entrée consumption were attributable to increases in average bite size (p < 0.001). Neither child weight nor maternal weight predicted children's intake of large portions. Self-selection resulted in decreased entrée (p < 0.05) and meal energy (p < 0.01) only among those children who ate more when served the large portion. DISCUSSION: The results of this research confirm that serving large entrée portions promotes increased intake at meals among 2- to 9-year-old children. These findings suggest that any age-related differences in children's response to large portions are likely to be smaller than previously suspected.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: Whether developmental periods exist in which children become particularly sensitive to environmental influences on eating is unclear. This research evaluated the effects of age on intake of large and self-selected portions among children 2 to 9 years of age. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Seventy-five non-Hispanic white children 2 to 3, 5 to 6, and 8 to 9 years of age were seen at a dinner meal in reference, large, and self-selected portion size conditions in which the size of an entrée was age-appropriate, doubled, and determined by the child, respectively. Weighed food intake data were collected. Entrée bite size and bite frequency were assessed. Height and weight measurements were obtained. RESULTS: The effect of age on children's intake of the large portion was not significant. Entrée consumption was 29% greater (p < 0.001) and meal energy intake was 13% greater (p < 0.01) in the large portion condition than in the reference condition. Increases in entrée consumption were attributable to increases in average bite size (p < 0.001). Neither child weight nor maternal weight predicted children's intake of large portions. Self-selection resulted in decreased entrée (p < 0.05) and meal energy (p < 0.01) only among those children who ate more when served the large portion. DISCUSSION: The results of this research confirm that serving large entrée portions promotes increased intake at meals among 2- to 9-year-old children. These findings suggest that any age-related differences in children's response to large portions are likely to be smaller than previously suspected.
Authors: Kathleen L Keller; Laural K English; S Nicole Fearnbach; Marlou Lasschuijt; Kaitlin Anderson; Maria Bermudez; Jennifer O Fisher; Barbara J Rolls; Stephen J Wilson Journal: Appetite Date: 2018-02-02 Impact factor: 3.868
Authors: Alissa D Smethers; Liane S Roe; Christine E Sanchez; Faris M Zuraikat; Kathleen L Keller; Samantha M R Kling; Barbara J Rolls Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2019-05-01 Impact factor: 7.045
Authors: Kevin C Mathias; Barbara J Rolls; Leann L Birch; Tanja V E Kral; Elizabeth L Hanna; Adam Davey; Jennifer O Fisher Journal: J Acad Nutr Diet Date: 2012-02 Impact factor: 4.910