Encouraging vegetable intake as a snack among children: the influence of portion and unit size.
OBJECTIVE
People eat more unhealthy foods when served more (portion size effect) and when the food is served in larger units (unit size effect). The present study aimed to examine whether these effects can be used for the good: to increase vegetable consumption among children.


METHODS
A 2×2 between-subjects experiment was conducted at two schools. Pupils were presented in class with cucumber that varied both in unit size (one piece v. pre-sliced) and portion size (one-third v. two-thirds of a cucumber). Children ate ad libitum during the morning break and filled in a survey.


METHODS
Primary schools in the centre of the Netherlands.


METHODS
Primary-school pupils (n 255) aged 8-13 years.


RESULTS
Children ate 54 % more cucumber when served a large compared with a smaller portion (difference of 49 g; P<0·001). Large units did not impact consumption (P=0·58), but were considered as less convenient to eat than small units (P=0·001).


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that children's vegetable intake can be improved by serving larger portions in smaller-sized pieces.
1Wageningen University,Marketing and Consumer Behaviour Group,Hollandseweg 1,6709 KN Wageningen,The Netherlands.
Ellen
E
van Kleef
1Wageningen University,Marketing and Consumer Behaviour Group,Hollandseweg 1,6709 KN Wageningen,The Netherlands.
Ilse
I
Bruggers
2Wageningen University,Strategic Communication Group,Wageningen,The Netherlands.
Emely
E
de Vet
D002648:Child; D018553:Cucumis sativus; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D064787:Portion Size; D062410:Snacks; D014675:Vegetables
Food intake; Portion size; Unit size; Vegetables