Size and shape of plates and size of wine glasses and bottles: impact on selection of food and alcohol

Abstract

Background:The physical properties of tableware could influence selection and consumption of food and alcohol. There is considerable uncertainty, however, around the potential effects of different sizes and shapes of tableware on how much food and alcohol people self-serve. These studies aimed to estimate the impact of: 1. Plate size and shape on amount of food self-served; 2.Wine glass and bottle size on amount of wine self-poured.Methods: 140 adults participated in two laboratory studies-each using randomised within-subjects factorial designs-where they self-served food (Study 1) and wine (Study 2):Study 1: 3 plate sizes (small; medium; large) × 2 plate shapes (circular; square).Study 2: 3 wine glass sizes (small; medium; large) × 2 wine bottle sizes (75 cl; 50 cl). Results:Study 1: There was a main effect of plate size: less was self-served on small (76 g less, p < 0.001) and medium (41 g less, p < 0.001) plates, compared to large plates. There was no evidence for a main effect of plate shape (p = 0.46) or a size and shape interaction (p = 0.47).Study 2: There was a main effect of glass size: less was self-served in small (34 ml less, p < 0.001) and medium (17 ml less, p < 0.001) glasses, compared to large glasses. There was no evidence of a main effect of bottle size (p = 0.20) or a glass and bottle size interaction (p = 0.18). Conclusions:Smaller tableware (i.e. plates and wine glasses) decreases the amount of food and wine self-served in an initial serving. Future studies are required to generate estimates on selection and consumption in real world settings when numerous servings are possible.Protocol registration information: OSF (https:// osf. io/ dj3c6/) and ISRCTN (https:// doi. org/ 10. 1186/ ISRCT N6677 4780).

Impact of wine bottle and glass sizes on wine consumption at home: a within‐ and between‐ households randomized controlled trial

“…The current study did not find evidence for an interaction between bottle size and glass. This is consistent with the findings of the aforementioned laboratory study, which found no significant interaction effect when participants were asked to pour wine into differently sized glasses from differently sized bottles [21]. The effects might, however, be different when multiple servings are permitted and poured amounts are consumed, as was the case with the current study.…”

“…A recent mega-analysis found that wine served in larger glasses increased the volume of wine sold, and therefore consumed, in restaurants but not in bars [20]. Consistent with this, a recent laboratory study found that less wine was poured into smaller glasses compared to larger glasses [21], suggesting that smaller glasses might reduce consumption by reducing amounts that are self-poured.…”

“…The size of wine glasses used with different‐sized bottles may enhance or diminish any effect of bottle size. A recent laboratory study in which participants were asked to pour wine into three differently sized glasses (small, medium, large) from two differently sized bottles (50 and 75 cl) found that less wine was poured into smaller glasses, but this was unaffected by bottle size [21]. The impact of glass size singly and in combination with different bottle sizes when multiple servings are allowed is unknown.…”