Proximity of foods in a competitive food environment influences consumption of a low calorie and a high calorie food

• The influence of proximity on intake was tested in a competitive food setting.
• The foods used were popcorn and apples placed near or far from a participant.
• Results show that whatever food was nearest participants was consumed most.
• Placing popcorn far from participants resulted in lowest total caloric intake.
• Thus, proximity influenced food intake even in a competitive food setting.

The objective of this study was to test if proximity of a food or preference for a food influences food intake in a competitive food environment in which one low calorie/low fat (apple slices) and one higher calorie/higher fat (buttered popcorn) food was available in the same environment. The proximity of popcorn and apple slices was manipulated and 56 participants were randomly assigned to groups. In Group Apples Near, apple slices were placed near (within arms reach) a participant and popcorn was placed far (2 m away). In Group Popcorn Near, buttered popcorn was placed near and apple slices were placed far. As a control for the absence of a proximity manipulation, Group Both Near had both test foods placed near. Although participants rated the popcorn as more liked than apples, the food that was placed closer to the participant was consumed most in the two experimental groups, regardless of preference (R2 = 0.38). Total energy intake was reduced most when popcorn was placed far from a participant compared to when it was placed near (R2 = 0.24). The effects reported here were not moderated by BMI and did not vary by sex. In all, the results support the hypothesis that making a low calorie food more proximate will reduce total energy intake and increase intake of a low calorie food, even when a higher calorie and more preferred food is also available, but less proximate.