Eating style of obese and nonobese males.

Variables traditionally thought to differentiate an obese eating style were examined in six nonobese and six obese males consuming a sandwich lunch. Determinations of meal size, meal duration, bites, bites per sandwich quarter, and various measures of rate of ingestion revealed no significant differences between groups. A trend suggested that the nonobese consumed a greater proportion of their meal during the first half of the meal as compared to the obese. These observations were confirmed in the second experiment, including significant findings of differential patterning of rate. Thus the cumulative intake curves of the nonobese were negatively accelerated, whereas those of the obese more closely approximated a linear curve. In the second experiment six nonobese and six obese males consumed their lunch at normal, fast, and slow rates. A trend indicated that more food was ingested at the fast rate, regardless of weight class. Sandwiches tasted better at the conclusion of meals consumed at rapid rates. Implications for the physiology of satiety and the diagnosis and treatment of obesity are discussed.