Cited by 301Nutrition, Health and Food BehaviorDecision-Making and Behavioral EconomicsEating Disorders and Behaviors

Ice Cream Illusions

Wansink, Brian, van Ittersum, Koert, Painter, James E.·2006·American Journal of Preventive Medicine

Abstract

Background Because people eat most of what they serve themselves, any contextual cues that lead them to over-serve should lead them to over-eat. In building on the size-contrast illusion, this research examines whether the size of a bowl or serving spoon unknowingly biases how much a person serves and eats.Methods The 2 x 2 between-subjects design involved 85 nutrition experts who were attending an ice cream social to celebrate the success of a colleague in 2002. They were randomly given either a smaller (17 oz) or a larger (34 oz) bowl and either a smaller (2 oz) or larger (3 oz) ice cream scoop. After serving themselves, they completed a brief survey as their ice cream was weighed. The analysis was conducted in 2003.Results Even when nutrition experts were given a larger bowl, they served themselves 31.0% more (6.25 vs 4.77 oz, F(1, 80) = 8.05, p < 0.01) without being aware of it. Their servings increased by 14.5% when they were given a larger serving spoon (5.77 vs 5.04 oz, F(1, 80)=2.70, p = 0.10).Conclusions People could try using the size of their bowls and possibly serving spoons to help them better control how much they consume. Those interested in losing weight should use smaller bowls and spoons, while those needing to gain weight--such as the undernourished or aged--could be encouraged to use larger ones. Epidemiologic implications are discussed.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.amepre.2006.04.003

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12 of 12 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • There are many human studies showing acute effects of manipulating palatability, variability, and availability of food, although few controlled studies show long-term effects on energy balance.

    “There are also plenty of human studies showing acute effects of manipulating palatability, variability, and availability of food ([191](#B191), [192](#B192)), although few controlled studies show long-term effects on energy balance ([120](#B120), [134](#B134)).”

    From Food reward, hyperphagia, and obesity (2011) · cites this paper as [192]

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Authors
Wansink, B., van Ittersum, K., & Painter, J. E.
Affiliations
  • Cornell University (US)
  • Eastern Illinois University (US)
Venue
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2006-09
Volume
31
Issue
3
Pages
240-243
ISSN
0749-3797 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2134869599
Cited by
301
References
12
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 25 · 2016: 30 · 2015: 32 · 2014: 36 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 24
FWCI
8.81
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Journal of Preventive Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › General Decision Sciences › Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
Keywords
serving size, portion size, overeating, dietary intake, weight management, nutritionists
MeSH terms
Eating, Female, Humans, Ice Cream, Illusions, Male, Visual Perception

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