A comparison of bite size and BMI in a cafeteria setting

- Bite weight differences between BMI groups were observed in a cafeteria setting.
- Obese participants took larger bites than normal (p = 0.002) and overweight (p = 0.017).
- A 0.20 g/BMI bite size relationship was observed.
- Food and drink bites showed 0.11 and 0.23 g/BMI increases, respectively.

Our study investigated the relationship between BMI and bite size in a cafeteria setting. Two hundred and seventy one participants consumed one meal each. Participants were free to select any food provided by the cafeteria and could return for additional food as desired. Bite weights were measured with a table embedded scale. Data were analyzed with ANOVAs, regressions, Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests, and a repeated measures general linear model for quartile analysis. Obese participants were found to take larger bites than both normal (p = 0.002) and overweight participants (p = 0.017). Average bite size increased by 0.20 g per point increase in BMI. Food bites and drink bites were analyzed individually, showing 0.11 g/BMI and 0.23 g/BMI slopes, respectively. Quartiles of bites were also analyzed, and a significant interaction was found between normal and obese participants (p = 0.034) such that the lower two quartiles were similar, but the upper two quartiles showed an increase in bite size for obese participants. The source of these effects could be the result of a combination of several uncontrolled factors.