Topics in Clinical Nutrition

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Topics in Clinical Nutrition:
April/June 2006 - Volume 21 - Issue 2 - p 114-121
Focus on Obesity and Weight Management

The Ability of Young Adults to Estimate Portion Size and Calorie Content

Schwartz, Jaime MS, RD; Byrd-Bredbenner, Carol PhD, RD, FADA

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Abstract

This study describes the ability of young adults (N = 177, 75% female) aged 16-26 years to estimate the size and calories in typical portions of common foods. Participants served themselves typical portion sizes of 8 foods at breakfast (n = 63) or 6 foods at lunch or dinner (n = 114). Portion size selections were unobtrusively weighed and converted to volume measures. Calories in the portions were then calculated. Only 34% of volume and 22% of calorie estimates were within 25% of their actual amounts. Nearly half the volume estimates were more than 25% greater than actual amounts. Approximately one third of the calorie estimates were underestimated by 26% or more.

© 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

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