Smaller Portion Sizes are Often Perfectly Acceptable

In the past we have shown how portion sizes have increased measurably during recent decades; this was based on the size of different plates in common use.  A study from the Netherlands, reported in the International Journal of Obesity, has looked at how eating behaviors change if smaller meals are made available. A randomized controlled trial was designed to assess the impact of introducing small portion sizes and pricing strategies on choices made in 25 work cafeterias.

Each cafeteria was allocated to one of three groups. The first offered a hot meal two-thirds the regular size at two thirds of the price, in addition to existing choices. The second group also offered smaller portions but with "value pricing” so that the cost went down as the portion size went up. The third group was a control, offering only regular-sized meals. Over the four weeks of the study customers answered questionnaires, and sales at the cafeterias were computed.

More than 300 weekly customer questionnaires were evaluated. Overall, 10% of the hot meals sold were smaller-portion. Women were more likely to choose the smaller portions than men; better educated customers were more likely to choose the larger portions. Pricing did not appear to play a role in customer decisions. About 20% of the participants who shows a small meal often-to-always bought more products than usual in the cafeteria, and admitted snacking or eating larger meals at home.

The researchers concluded that the number of smaller meals sold was "reasonable", and felt that downsizing portions could have a positive effect on public health. However, the additional food purchases and compensatory eating clearly detract from any benefits achieved by smaller portion sizes. The answer, I suppose, is to ensure that smaller portions are offered in the family at all meals, and no snacks are allowed (except really healthy ones).