Premium
Physical burden leads to reduced weight and size estimates and increased consumption (626.22)
Author(s) -
Tal Aner,
Wansink Brian
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.626.22
Subject(s) - fluid ounce (us) , calorie , consumption (sociology) , environmental health , food science , food consumption , medicine , zoology , demography , toxicology , agricultural economics , economics , chemistry , biology , social science , sociology , physics , thermodynamics , endocrinology
The studies aimed to examine whether burden leads to estimation of lower product quantity and consequently increased consumption. In studies 1 (N = 55) and 2 (N = 56), participants carrying heavy (168 ounce), vs. light (126 ounce) shopping bags estimated the physical properties of pictured dishes (study 1) or physically presented baked goods (study 2). Participants carrying heavier shopping bags estimated lower average weight (13 ounces vs. 15.58), p = .01 for entrees and lower average diameter (4.92, vs. 5.66 inches), p = 03 for baked goods. In our third study we counted the number of shopping bags held by diners at a mall food court and estimated the calories in their meals, consulting objective dietary information when available. There was a significant effect of number of packages carried on calories such that those carrying a greater number of packages ordered more calories of food at the food court: F(1, 176) = 5.47, p = .02. The studies demonstrate that higher burden leads people to see food quantities as smaller and consume more caloric foods.