title: "Is this a meal or snack?" Situational cues that drive perceptions.
abstract: What determines whether a person perceives an eating occasion as a meal or snack? The answer may influence what and how much they eat on that occasion and over the remainder of the day. A survey of 122 participants indicated that they used food cues (such as the food quality, portion size, perceived healthfulness, and preparation time) as well as environmental cues (such as the presence of friends and family, whether one is seated, and the quality of napkins and plates) to determine if they were eating a meal rather than a snack. Implications for dieters and for health professionals are provided.
authors.affiliation: Cornell University, 110 Warren Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. bcw28@cornell.edu
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wansink
authors.forename: Collin R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: Mitsuru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shimizu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001069:Appetite Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D003463:Cues; D004032:Diet / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D004328:Drive; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D012528:Satiety Response / Q000502:physiology*; D012919:Social Behavior; D055815:Young Adult