title: Environmental strategies for portion control in children.
abstract: Evidence from laboratory and field studies indicates that large portions lead to greater food and energy intake relative to small portions. However, most children and adults demonstrate limited abilities to estimate and control the amounts of food they serve and consume. Five potential environmental strategies appear promising for improving portion control in children: (1) using tall, thin, and small volume glasses and mugs, (2) using smaller diameter and volume plates, bowls and serving utensils, (3) using plates with rims, (4) reducing total television and other screen watching and (5) reducing or eliminating eating while watching television and/or other screens. Further experimental research in real world settings is needed to test these interventions as strategies for portion control and their roles in prevention and treatment of obesity.
authors.affiliation: Solutions Science Lab, Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1265 Welch Road, MSOB X129, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. Electronic address: tom.robinson@stanford.edu.
authors.forename: Thomas N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: Solutions Science Lab, Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics and Stanford Prevention Research Center, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 1265 Welch Road, MSOB X129, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
authors.forename: Donna M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Matheson
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003297:Cooking and Eating Utensils / Q000592:standards*; D004777:Environment; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D064787:Portion Size; D012015:Reference Standards; D013690:Television
keywords: Bowls; Children; Dishes; Glasses; Portion size; Television