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. 2013 Oct:69:31-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2013.05.010. Epub 2013 May 20.

Portion size variably affects food intake of 6-year-old and 4-year-old children in Kunming, China

Lindsey Smith  1 , Katharine Conroy, Hongmei Wen, Li Rui, Debbie Humphries
Affiliations

Portion size variably affects food intake of 6-year-old and 4-year-old children in Kunming, China

Lindsey Smith et al. Appetite. 2013 Oct.

Abstract

Age and portion size have been found to influence food intake in American children but have not been examined in an international context. This study evaluated the association between age and the effects of portion size on the food intake of kindergarteners in Kunming, China. Using a within-subjects crossover design in a classroom setting, 173 children in two age groups, mean age 4.2 years and 6.1 years, were served a predefined reference, small (-30%) and large (+30%) portion of rice, vegetables, and a protein source during lunchtime over three consecutive days. Each portion was weighed before and after the meal to determine amount of food consumed. Linear mixed modeling, controlling for repeated measures and clustering by classroom, was used to compare food intake under small and large portion size conditions to the reference portion. Children ate significantly less food when served small portions. When served a large portion, 6-year-old children increased food intake while 4-year-old children decreased food intake in comparison to the reference portion. Findings indicate that portion size affects food intake in Chinese children 4-6-years old. Older children show larger increases in food intake with increased portion size than do younger children.

Keywords: Children; China; Dietary intake; Kindergarten; Portion size; Preschool.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Factors affecting food intake in a school-based setting and features of the DaGuan portion size study design
Figure 2
Figure 2. Adjusted Mean Changes in Food Intake by Age Group
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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