Extrovert or Introvert? All Children are Equally Influenced by Plate Size

Is your child more introverted or an extrovert? No matter the case, a recent study shows that certain personality traits won't affect how susceptible children may be to plate-size bias. In fact, research by the Cornell Food and Bran Lab shows that each group is likely to respond the same to certain environmental cues involving portion control.

Researchers examined the breakfast behavior of children ages 6 to 10. Adults first gave breakfast by giving a large bowl based on how much milk and cereal the child requested. Next, on a different day, children were put in charge and served themselves with the same bowl.

In order to determine a child's personality type, four teachers and counselors rated each child's degree of introversion and extroversion on a scale of 1 to 9. They used an average of these scores in order to classify each child as an introvert or an extrovert.

To determine each child's personality type, four teachers and counselors rated each one based on a 1 to 9 scale. They used the average of the scores in order to classify the amount of food children served themselves, researchers weighed each student's serving through scales hidden in the table. The serving sizes were then compared to both personality groups.

Researchers found that extroverted kids were far more likely to be impacted by the size of the bowl (33.1 percent more breakfast) than introverted kids (5.6 percent more breakfast.) Yet researchers note that this benefit is only seen by introverted kids when serving themselves. When they are served by adults, all children requested a larger amount with the larger bowl, etc.

Researchers believe this could provide a new way to serve children in a healthier manner.

More information regarding the study can be found via the journal PLOS ONE.