The sound of silence

Presence and absence of sound affects meal duration and hedonic eating experience

Dados Bibliográficos

ID11360331
AutoresSigne Lund Mathiesen (0000-0003-3863-7640, Aarhus University, autor correspondente), Anu Hopia (0000-0002-1280-5637, University of Turku), Pauliina Ojansivu (University of Turku), Derek V Byrne (0000-0001-6715-2306, Aarhus University), Qian Janice Wang (0000-0001-7054-2137, Aarhus University)
Ano2022
Volume174
Páginas106011
Data de publicação2022-07-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoAppetite (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0195-6663 • E-ISSN: 1095-8304
EditoraElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.appet.2022.106011
PMID35337885
OpenAlexW4220983949
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas4
Referências citadas63

The interplay between external auditory cues in the eating environment and cognitive processes, such as distraction, may influence food intake, but how and the degree to which they do is unclear. We report an experiment designed to investigate the effects of different sonic atmospheres on meal duration, food intake and evaluations, and responses to the sonic eating environment. In a quasi-naturalistic cafeteria setting, participants (N = 248) were eating a lunch meal whilst being in one of four conditions: slow music, fast music, cafeteria noise, and silence. The results revealed that participants eating their lunch while exposed to some kind of background sound spent more time on their meal than those eating in silence. In terms of music tempo, slow music prolonged meal duration compared to fast music, but did not lead to increased intake. The appropriateness and liking of the sonic atmosphere were positively correlated with the overall pleasantness of the eating experience and liking of the food. The findings provide support for existing evidence documenting the importance of ambient sound in relation to food experiences and provide further insights into how individuals perceive and respond to sonic meal environments. Results are discussed in terms of recommendations for future design of eating environments in different contexts

Acoustics · Audiology · Cafeteria · Developmental psychology · Meal · Silence · Sound exposure · Color perception and design · Medicine · Multisensory perception and integration · Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies · Psychology · Social Psychology · Internal Medicine