Study finds small snacks encourage eating more

Spanish and Dutch researchers found that instead of reducing the amount of calories consumed by people, treats in small-sized packages ("diet"and “fun” packs) actually increase the amount of high-calorie foods eaten. The researchers had subjects in one group complete three surveys: “body satisfaction,” “drive for thinness,” and "concern for dieting.” The subjects were weighed in front of a mirror so they were fully awareness of their weight. Then, this group and a control group (who did not complete the surveys and were not weighed in front of a mirror) watched commercials on television. The researchers told both groups that the purpose of the study was to evaluate the advertisements. However, the researchers, in actuality, were monitoring their consumption of potato chips. The researchers provided the potato chips in large and small packages. The authors wrote in their paper, “The increasing availability of single-serve and multi-packs may not serve consumers in the long-run, but — because they are considered to be innocent pleasures — may turn out to be sneaky small sins.”