Factors associated with eating rate: a systematic review and narrative synthesis informed by socio-ecological model

Abstract

Accumulating evidence shows associations between rapid eating and overweight. Modifying eating rate might be a potential weight management strategy without imposing additional dietary restrictions. A comprehensive understanding of factors associated with eating speed will help with designing effective interventions. The aim of this review was to synthesize the current state of knowledge on the factors associated with eating rate. The socio-ecological model (SEM) was utilized to scaffold the identified factors. A comprehensive literature search of 11 databases was conducted to identify factors associated with eating rate. The 104 studies that met the inclusion criteria were heterogenous in design and methods of eating rate measurement. We identified 39 factors that were independently linked to eating speed and mapped them onto the individual, social and environmental levels of the SEM. The majority of the reported factors pertained to the individual characteristics (n=20) including demographics, cognitive/psychological factors and habitual food oral processing behaviours. Social factors (n=11) included eating companions, social and cultural norms, and family structure. Environmental factors (n=8) included food texture and presentation, methods of consumption or background sounds. Measures of body weight, food form and characteristics, food oral processing behaviours and gender, age and ethnicity were the most researched and consistent factors associated with eating rate. A number of other novel and underresearched factors emerged, but these require replication and further research. We highlight directions for further research in this space and potential evidence-based candidates for interventions targeting eating rate.

Facilitators and barriers to the implementation of dietary nutrition interventions for community-dwelling older adults with physical frailty and sarcopenia: A qualitative meta-synthesis

“…The Social Ecological Model (SEM) is derived from Bronfenbrenner’s Ecosystem Theory, which seeks to explore the complex issues affecting individual behavior [ 25 ]. According to SEM, behavior is influenced by individual (e.g., knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy), social (e.g., social norms, family, peers), and environmental factors (e.g., family environment, community, public policy) [ 26 ]. It has become a useful tool for exploring factors associated with dietary or exercise adherence in different populations [ 27 , 28 ].…”