Effects of Bite Count Feedback from a Wearable Device and Goal Setting on Consumption in Young Adults

Abstract Background New technologies are emerging that may help individuals engage in healthier eating behaviors. One paradigm to test the efficacy of a technology is to determine its effect relative to environment cues that are known to cause individuals to overeat. Objective The purpose of this work was to independently investigate two questions: How does the presence of a technology that provides bite count feedback alter eating behavior? and, How does the presence of a technology that provides bite count feedback paired with a goal alter eating behavior? Design Two studies investigated these research questions. The first study tested the effects of a large and small plate crossed with the presence or absence of a device that provided bite count feedback on intake. The second study tested the effects of a bite count goal with bite count feedback, again crossed with plate size, on intake. Both studies used a 2×2 between-subjects design. Participants/setting In the first study, 94 subjects (62 women aged 19.0±1.6 years with body mass index [BMI] 23.04±3.6) consumed lunch in a laboratory. The second study examined 99 subjects (56 women aged 18.5±1.5 years with BMI 22.73±2.70) under the same conditions. Intervention In both studies subjects consumed a single-course meal, using either a small or large plate. In the first study participants either wore or did not wear an automated bite counting device. In the second study all participants wore the bite counting device and were given either a low bite count goal (12 bites) or a high bite count goal (22 bites). Statistical analyses Effect of plate size, feedback, and goal on consumption (grams) and number of bites taken were assessed using 2×2 analyses of variance. As adjunct measures, the effects of serving size, bite size (grams per bite), postmeal satiety, and satiety change were also assessed. Results In the first study there was a main effect of plate size on grams consumed and number of bites taken such that eating from a large plate led to greater consumption ( P =0.001) and a greater number of bites ( P =0.001). There was also a main effect of feedback on consumption and number of bites taken such that those who received feedback consumed less ( P =0.011) and took fewer bites ( P