The effect of package shape on calorie estimation

Abstract

This research investigates how the shape of a package influences the estimation of calories. Study 1 shows that food in taller packages is perceived as having fewer calories than food in wider packages. Study 2 demonstrates that package shape has opposite effects on the estimations of calorie and volume: food in taller packages appears to have fewer calories but to be greater in volume than food in wider packages. Study 3 investigates the differences between the estimation processes for calorie and volume by manipulating the order of the two tasks. Finally, Study 4 shows that taller (vs. wider) packages increase the consumption of food when participants are mindful of calorie intake. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.