Effects of bread roll unit size on bread and energy intake in children

Background Bread choice • The average number of consumed bread rolls was 4.2 (SD=1.9). • White bread rolls were favourite: the first chosen bread roll was usually white (89%) regardless of size of offered rolls. 81% of total bread consumption was white. • Children ate more bread in grams when white rolls were larger-sized (Ps<0.001). Objective Although people tend to eat more when food is served in larger units (unit size effect), children often prefer food served in smaller units as they look more appealing. Whether unit size of bread rolls can be used to encourage children’s intake of whole wheat bread is unclear. Objective: To determine the effect of unit size of bread rolls on lunch energy and bread intake during a school lunch.