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Visualising a recent meal as bigger reduces subsequent snack intake

Bibliographic Data

ID11360907
AuthorsJoanna Szypula (0000-0002-6241-962X, University of Cambridge, corresponding author), Amy L Ahern (0000-0001-5069-4758, University of Cambridge), Amy Ahern, Lucy Cheke, Lucy G Cheke (0000-0001-5588-7575, University of Cambridge)
Year2023
Volume181
Pages106411
Publication date2023-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAppetite (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0195-6663 • E-ISSN: 1095-8304
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.appet.2022.106411
PMID36463986
OpenAlexW4312160330
LanguageEN
References cited59

Remembering a recent meal reduces subsequent intake of palatable snacks (i.e. the meal-recall effect), however, little is known about the factors which can potentiate this effect. The present experiment investigated whether a stronger meal-recall effect would be observed if recent consumption would be recalled in greater detail, than if it was recalled briefly. Moreover, it was investigated whether imagining a meal as bigger and more satiating than in reality could potentiate the meal-recall effect, and lead to lower intake. It was also explored whether mental visualisation tasks of a recent meal would affect the remembered portion size. Participants (N = 151) ate lunch at the laboratory, and then returned 3 h later to perform the imagination tasks and to participate in a bogus taste test (during which intake was covertly measured). Participants in the two main imagination task groups recalled the lunch meal and then either recalled the consumption episode in great detail or imagined the meal was larger and more filling than in reality. The results showed that imagining a recent meal as larger significantly reduced the quantity of biscuits eaten. However, contrary to the hypotheses, recalling a consumption episode in detail did not decrease snack intake. It was also shown that imagining a recent meal as larger than in reality did not lead participants to overestimate the true size of the meal. In fact, portion size estimations were significantly underestimated in that group. There were no significant estimation differences in any of the other groups. The results of this study suggest that the meal-recall effect can be an effective strategy to reduce food intake and may be amenable to strategic manipulation to enhance efficacy, but seems prone to disruption

Cognitive psychology · Developmental psychology · Meal · Portion size · Recall · Taste · Chemistry · Communication · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Medicine · Multisensory perception and integration · Neuroscience · Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies · Psychology · Food Science · Internal Medicine

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