The effects of selected social and environmental variables on the eating behavior of adults in the natural environment

✍ Scribed by Klesges, Robert C. ;Bartsch, Diane ;Norwood, J. Derrick ;Kautzrnan, Delora ;Haugrud, Shelly

• Publisher: Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
• Year: 1984
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 384 KB
• Volume: 3
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0276-3478
• DOI: 10.1002/1098-108x(198422)3:4<35::aid-eat2260030405>3.0.co;2-7

✦ Synopsis

The current study investigated the effects of social setting, type of restaurant environment, relative weight, and sex on the number of calories consumed by adults. Subjects were observed in 14 different restaurants by trained observers. Results indicated that both males and females consumed more calories in fast-food restaurants and that they ate more when in groups as compared to when they ate alone. Females ate less in larger as compared to smaller groups of people. Relative weight was not associated with the number of calories consumed. Implications of the results are discussed and possible treatment recommendations are outlined.

A ssessment of various social, interpersonal, and environmental variables associated with eating has been the source of increased interest during the past few years. Schachter's (1971) early conceptualization of obese individuals, for example, was based on the premise that overweight people are more sensitive to external food cues (e.g., clocks, smells) than are normal-weight individuals. While this externality