Testing an online measure of ideal portion size: A pilot study

Abstract

Portion size is known to be a key driver of food intake. As consumed portions are often pre-planned, ‘ideal portion size’ – an individual’s preferred meal size selected prior to eating – has been identified as a strong predictor of actual consumption. However, assessments of ideal portion size have predominantly relied on laboratory-based computer tasks, limiting use online. Therefore, this study sought to pilot test the validity of a web-based tool to measure ideal portion size. In an online study (N = 48), participants responded to images of a range of foods. Each food was photographed in a series of different portions, and loaded into an ‘image carousel’ that would allow participants to change the size of the displayed portion by moving a slider left-to-right. Using this image carousel, participants selected their ideal portion size. They also completed measures of expected satiety and expected satiation, and self-reported their age and body mass index (BMI). A non-parametric correlation matrix was used to explore associations between ideal portion size and identified predictors of food intake. Supporting convergent validity of this measure, ideal portion size was significantly correlated with expected satiety and expected satiation (after controlling for effects of baseline hunger and fullness), consistent with past research. Similarly, supporting divergent validity of this measure, ideal portion size was not significantly correlated with age or BMI. Pilot results support the validity of this web-based tool to measure ideal portion size, though further research is needed to validate use with comparisons to actual food intake.