Food choice
Factors that guide food choice include taste preference, sensory attributes, cost, availability, convenience, cognitive restraint, and cultural familiarity.
[1] In addition, environmental cues and increased portion sizes play a role in the choice and amount of foods consumed.
Many environmental cues influence food choice and intake, although consumers may not be aware of their effects (see mindless eating).
[6] Examples of environmental influences include portion size, serving aids, food variety, and ambient characteristics (discussed below).
[8] Larger portion sizes may even cause people to eat more of foods that are ostensibly distasteful; in one study individuals ate significantly more stale, two-week-old popcorn when it was served in a large versus a medium-sized container.
[9] Over 70 percent of one's total intake is consumed using serving aids such as plates, bowls, glasses, or utensils.
[12] This effect has been observed across both genders[19][20] and across multiple age groups, although there is some evidence that it may be most pronounced in adolescence and diminished among older adults.
[21] Even the perceived variety of food can increase consumption; individuals consumed more M&M candies when they came in ten versus seven colors, despite identical taste.
[24] Environmental interventions such as taxation, food-benefit programs, and increasing the availability of fruits can reduce the number of sweetened beverages consumption.
[26][27] Regarding visibility, food is consumed at a faster rate or at a greater volume when it is presented in clear versus opaque containers.
[36] Relatedly, researchers have posited that reduced variability of ambient temperature indoors could be a mechanism driving obesity, as the percentage of US homes with air conditioning increased from 23 to 47 percent in recent decades.
[35] In addition, several human [37] and animal[38] studies have shown that temperatures above the thermoneutral zone significantly reduce food intake.
However, overall there are few studies indicating altered energy intake in response to extreme ambient temperatures and the evidence is primarily anecdotal.
[41][42] Similarly, when individuals hear preferred versus non-preferred music they tend to stay at dining establishments longer and spend more money on food and drink.
[55] Furthermore, these modeling effects have been reported across a range of diverse demographics, affecting both normal-weight and overweight individuals,[53] as well as both dieters and non-dieters.
[63] Relatedly, people tend to perceive factors like cost and health effects as significantly more influential than social norms in determining their own fruit and vegetable consumption.
[66] Cognitive dietary restraint refers to the condition where one is constantly monitoring and attempting to restrict food intake in order to achieve or maintain a desired body weight.
[67] Strategies used by restrained eaters include choosing reduced-calorie and reduced-fat foods, in addition to restricting overall caloric intake.
[71] One possible explanation for this observed difference is women may be more concerned with body weight issues when choosing certain types of foods.
[73] Across the lifespan, different eating habits can be observed based on socio-economic status, workforce conditions, financial security, and taste preference amongst other factors.
[72] Food choice can change from an early to mature age as a result of a more sophisticated taste palate, income, and concerns about health and wellness.
