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Kids eat more in adult-size dishes: study- 16-Apr-2013
In the research published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers found that first-graders served themselves more food, and ate almost 50 per cent more calories, when they were given adult-size plates, compared with when they were given kid-size plates. "These findings provide 'proof of concept' for a role of dishware size in appetite regulation in children," the researchers wrote. Children in the study were randomised to use either child-size dishes (227-gram bowls and plates that were 7.25 inches in diameter) or adult-size dishes (454-gram bowls and 10.25-inch plates). The kids helped themselves to lunch in a buffet-style line; on different days, pasta with meat sauce and chicken nuggets were available, while fruit and vegetables were always served, 'MyHealthNewsDaily' reported. Results showed the food kids served themselves contained 90 calories more when they used the adult-size dishes, compared with using the smaller dishes. The difference was even greater - with kids serving themselves 104 more calories - when they liked the food available that day. The researchers also found that when the kids were using the bigger dishes, they ate more, consuming 0.43 extra calories for every extra calorie they put on their plate. The only food that the kids did not take more of when using the larger dishes was vegetables, the study found.
