Evidence map›Paper›PMID 26879105›Full record

ArticlePhysiology & behavior2016

Double trouble: Portion size and energy density combine to increase preschool children's lunch intake.

Samantha M R Kling, Liane S Roe, Kathleen L Keller, Barbara J Rolls

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Physiology & behavior, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 44 papers, 6 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
44citing papers in PubMed, 6 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

44 citing papers in PubMed, 6 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. A systematic review of the relationship between portion size and indexes of adiposity in children.Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Samantha M R KlingDepartment of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States.
Liane S RoeDepartment of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States.
Kathleen L KellerDepartment of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States; Department of Food Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States.
Barbara J RollsDepartment of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States. Electronic address: bjr4@psu.edu.

Funding

Strategies to Moderate Energy Intake for the Prevention of Obesity in ChildrenR01DK082580 · NIDDK · PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE · PI ROLLS, BARBARA JEAN · 2009 to 2019
$3.6M
NIDDK NIH HHS R01 DK082580
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBoth portion size and energy density (ED) have substantial effects on intake; however, their combined effects on preschool children's intake have not been examined when multiple foods are varied at a meal.

objectiveWe tested the effects on intake of varying the portion size and ED of lunches served to children in their usual eating environment.

designIn a crossover design, lunch was served in 3 childcare centers once a week for 6weeks to 120 children aged 3-5y. Across the 6 meals, all items were served at 3 levels of portion size (100%, 150%, or 200%) and 2 levels of ED (100% or 142%). The lunch menu had either lower-ED or higher-ED versions of chicken, macaroni and cheese, vegetables, applesauce, ketchup, and milk. Children's ratings of the foods indicated that the lower-ED and higher-ED meals were similarly well liked.

resultsThe total weight of food and milk consumed at meals was increased by serving larger portions (P<0.0001) but was unaffected by varying the ED (P=0.22). Meal energy intake, however, was independently affected by portion size and ED (both P<0.0001). Doubling the portions increased energy intake by 24% and increasing meal ED by 42% increased energy intake by 40%. These effects combined to increase intake by 175±12kcal or 79% at the higher-ED meal with the largest portions compared to the lower-ED meal with the smallest portions. The foods contributing the most to this increase were chicken, macaroni and cheese, and applesauce. The effects of meal portion size and ED on intake were not influenced by child age or body size, but were significantly affected by parental ratings of child eating behavior.

conclusionStrategically moderating the portion size and ED of foods typically consumed by children could substantially reduce their energy intake without affecting acceptability.

Indexed as

Food PreferencesChild Nutritional Physiological PhenomenaChild, PreschoolCross-Over StudiesEatingEnergy IntakeFemaleHumansLunchMalePortion SizeEating behaviorEnergy densityEnergy intakeObesityPortion sizePreschool children

Identifiers

PMID26879105
PMCPMC4899121

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.