Analysis of Food Perception in Slim, Overweight, or Obese Individuals

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is a systemic disease leading to many complications. One of the causes of obesity is excessive energy intake in relation to its expenditure. Assessing portion sizes and estimating caloric intake is crucial in maintaining a healthy body weight and combating obesity.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of BMI on the perception of portion sizes and their estimated caloric content.

Patients and methods: The anonymous survey was filled out by 205 patients. The survey contained questions regarding different meals. Pictures of main meals were presented and individually assessed by the study participants. Next, they were divided into groups, individuals with normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m²), who were overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m²), and with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²), to analyze the differences in food perception and caloric estimation.

Results: The study did not demonstrate significant differences in the subgroups' estimated portion sizes of most main meals. No statistical significance was found in the estimated caloric content of the indicated main meal portions across the studied groups. Obese, overweight, and normal-weighted patients assess food portion size similarly.

Conclusions: BMI has no significant impact on caloric estimation. The majority of the population estimate the caloric value of the meals inappropriately. Nevertheless, patients with excessive body weight (overweight and obesity) have a tendency (but not statistically significant) to underestimate the caloric value of full meals compared with people with normal BMI. Incorrect calorie estimation may lead to consuming bigger meal portions in patients with overweight and obesity.

Keywords: eating habits; estimation of calories; obesity; obesity cause; portion size.

Figure 1

Examples of pictures used in questionnaire (left: minced meat cutlet with potatoes and cucumber salad; right: eggs with Parma ham and avocado).