Assessing Amount of Intake

Assessing Amount of Intake. Even though there is information available about appropriate serving sizes, people generally do not correctly assess the amount they are eating. Often people are unable to tell the differences in portion size when offered different sizes on different days. Although the ability to accurately determine appropriate amounts of food to eat is important, there is little research to suggest which methods would be most successful in helping people estimate appropriate serving sizes. Young and Nestle concluded that characteristics of people (gender, age, body weight, level of education) cause differences in the way they estimate portion size, and error in estimating becomes greater as portions increase. In addition, physiologic satiety cues are readily overridden by food cues, such as large portions, easy access, and the sensory attractiveness of food.

In addition to food cues, other factors add to the effect of portion size, causing people to eat more than they need, particularly in a restaurant setting.  Eating out can affect energy intake not only because of portion size, but also by convivial atmosphere, tendency to choose foods with high energy density, and alcohol consumption Assessing Amount of Intake.

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