title: What determines real-world meal size? Evidence for pre-meal planning.
abstract: The customary approach to the study of meal size suggests that 'events' occurring during a meal lead to its termination. Recent research, however, suggests that a number of decisions are made before eating commences that may affect meal size. The present study sought to address three key research questions around meal size: the extent to which plate-cleaning occurs; prevalence of pre-meal planning and its influence on meal size; and the effect of within-meal experiences, notably the development of satiation. To address these, a large-cohort internet-based questionnaire was developed. Results showed that plate-cleaning occurred at 91% of meals, and was planned from the outset in 92% of these cases. A significant relationship between plate-cleaning and meal planning was observed. Pre-meal plans were resistant to modification over the course of the meal: only 18% of participants reported consumption that deviated from expected. By contrast, 28% reported continuing eating beyond satiation, and 57% stated that they could have eaten more at the end of the meal. Logistic regression confirmed pre-meal planning as the most important predictor of consumption. Together, our findings demonstrate the importance of meal planning as a key determinant of meal size and energy intake.
authors.affiliation: School of Experimental Psychology, University of Bristol, 12a Priory Road, Bristol, BS8 1TU England, UK. Stephanie.Fay@bristol.ac.uk
authors.forename: Stephanie H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Fay
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ferriday
authors.forename: Elanor C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Hinton
authors.forename: Nicholas G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Shakeshaft
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Brunstrom
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008612:Menu Planning; D008875:Middle Aged; D012527:Satiation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult