If you want your children to eat less, you may want to consider giving them smaller plates. Researchers discovered that children given larger plates were more likely to serve themselves larger portions, which may lead to weight gain.
In order to test this theory, researchers studied first graders in two Philadelphia elementary school classrooms. Over a two-week period, children were given either child or adult-sized plates and were told to serve themselves. When using adult-sized plates, children served themselves an average of 90 extra calories. Although they only ate about half of what was on their plate, this still represents about an extra 40 calories per meal. Researchers also noted that BMI was not a factor in determining the amount of food taken.
Experts commenting on this finding say that this is a step in the right direction, although it will not cure childhood obesity. But, it may help to teach a child healthy habits, and this is especially important because the habits learned in childhood can last a lifetime and we want that lifetime to be a healthy one, says Dr. Claire McCarthy, a pediatrician at Boston Children s Hospital.
ACSH Assistant DIrector of Public Health Ariel Savransky added this perspective: Although I do agree that this may not be the answer to the childhood obesity crisis, this is an easy and almost effortless change for parents to make. And giving children the chance to serve themselves will teach them lessons about portion size that may stay with them as they get older. But parents also have to remember that what s on the plate is just as important as how much of it there is.