Adolescent Weight Perceptions and Snack Food Portion Estimation

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of weight perception on weight intention, and portion estimation.

Methods: Seventy-four middle school students poured themselves single servings of chips and cereal and estimated servings in three different sized chips bags. Measured portions were compared to accuracy within 25% of a standard serving. Associations between composite portion estimation, weight intentions, participant characteristics, and weight perceptions were identified by using Pearson’s correlations. Further analysis included factorial ANOVA and post hoc Bonferroni’s tests.

Results: Significantly more girls intended to lose weight than boys (r = -.362, p< .01). Weight intention was correlated with composite portion estimation (r = -317, p< .01) where intention to lose weight was correlated with a smaller portion estimation. 

Conclusions: Participants who intended to lose weight were often girls and were more accurate when pouring portions of chips. This study demonstrates the relationship between sex, weight intention and portion size accuracy. Future studies should focus on education strategies to promote healthy perceptions of weight and help improve accuracy of serving sizes. 

Keywords: adolescent, portions, weight, snacks, servings.

Abbrevations: body mass index (BMI).