Visual Perception of Portion Size

Abstract

Three studies were made in which chips (French fries) of different thickness and peas of different sizes were used. In each study, subjects were asked to serve the food in an attempt to match a standard amount of food placed on the table. Subjects served significantly (P < 0.001) smaller amounts of thin chips compared to thick chips, whether the standard was rice or chips, but for peas there was no effect of size of pea on the amount served. When chips were cut into cubes, results were more similar to those found with peas rather than with the original chips.

KEYWORDS:

• portion
• serving
• visual perception