Food Choice and Eating Behavior Among Obese, Lean, and Normal Individuals

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Abstract
The current study evaluates the food preferences and eating behavior of lean, normal, and obese subjects in a university cafeteria setting. Results showed that male leans did not differ from male normals in the proportion of calories derived from various food categories. Female leans ate proportionately less regular dairy but more fruit and dessert calories than female normals. Male obese ate more red meats and less fruit and dessert calories than male normals. Female obese showed the same patterns as female leans, consuming more desserts and fruit, but less regular dairy calories than female normals. Male leans also consumed less red meat and more dessert calories than male obese. No differences were found in total calories or menu items within sex and weight groups. Males, however, consumed more calories and chose more items than females. No differences were found among the groups in bite rate, sip rate, and total eating time. However, male and female leans engaged in significantly more noneating activity than their normal group and male obese ate significantly more calories/mouthful than all but the male leans. The results suggest that food choice, particularly saturated fat, may play a weaker role in the weight status of male lean and female obese subjects than in other groups, and that lean subjects are apt to find food and eating stimuli much less reinforcing than obese subjects. Results are discussed in terms of implications for treatment of obesity.

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