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EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON INFLUENCE OF PLATE SIZES ON ACTUAL COMPARED TO PERCEIVED ENERGY CONSUMED BY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN A UNIVERSITY IN MALAYSIA.
Najihah Mohamad, Rosita Jamaluddin
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia.
ABSTRACT
The prevalence of obesity had been increasing among all age group. The factors included low physical activity, unhealthy eating habit, genetic factor and consumption of large food portion. This study aimed to determine the influence of plate sizes on the actual compared to perceived energy consumed. The data collection was conducted for two weeks. For the first week, all participants used a smaller plate (7 inches) and larger plate (9 inches) been used on the second week. During the data collection days, participants served themselves from a buffet. On a smaller plate size, the perceived energy consumed was significantly higher than the actual energy consumed (p<0.01). While on larger plate size, participants perceived significantly lower energy consumed compared to the actual energy consumed (p<0.01). Comparing the perceived energy consumed on both plates, the perceived energy consumed on 7 inch plate was significantly higher (p<0.001) compared to 9 inch plate. The participants overestimated the energy consumed on larger plate and underestimated the energy consumed on smaller plate. Thus, the actual energy consumed on 7 inch plate was significantly (p<0.001) lower compared to actual energy consumed on 9 inch plate. As conclusion, consumption of food using smaller plate or bowl can be promoted as the intervention of controlling portion size of food.