Difference in Volume Perception according to Cup Shape in Normal Weight and Overweight Female College Students

The volume perception of water according to cup shape was examined in female college students divided into a normal weight group ( or =23 body mass index, n=48). The perceived water volume was recorded by participants after they observed the water volume in cups with different shape (highball and tumbler) and with different base height (high base and low base), which contained the same amount of water (150 ml). The normal weight group perceived a water volume of 238.5 ml (highball) and 201.6 ml (tumbler) for the high base cups. The overweight group perceived a volume of 245.6 ml (highball) and 188.8 ml (tumbler). For the low base cups, the normal weight group perceived a water volume of 207.8 ml (highball) and 104.1 ml (tumbler). The overweight group perceived a volume of 202.2 ml (highball) and 100.4 ml (tumbler). Both the normal weight and overweight groups perceived significantly more liquid in the highball cups compared to the tumbler cups. In addition, both groups perceived significantly more liquid in the high base cups compared to the low base cups. However, there were no significant differences in the estimated variance of perceived volume between the normal weight and overweight groups according to the cup shape and cup base height. In conclusion, cup shape and base height potentially affects volume perception. Therefore, modifying cup shape may be used in a weight control program to help control caloric beverage consumption.

Difference in Volume Perception According to Beverage or Cup Color in Normal Weight and Obese College Students

We examined the perception of volume in college students with a normal weight versus those students with obesity. College students were divided into a normal weight group ( or =23 body mass index, n=110), The perception of volume was measured under different beverage colors (colorless, black, yellow, and blue) and cup colors (colorless, black, yellow, and blue) containing the same amount of liquid (150 ml). We found that the normal weight group perceived significantly more liquid in a cup with a blue beverage versus a colorless one. The obese group perceived significantly more liquid in a cup with a yellow or blue beverage versus a colorless one. In terms of cup color, the normal weight group perceived significantly more liquid in a black color cup compared to a blue color cup. However, there were no differences in perceived volume according to the color of cup among the obese group. There were no significant differences in the perceived volume between the normal and obese group under all conditions tested. In conclusion, beverage and cup color effects volume perception in normal weight students, while only beverage color effects volume perception in obese students. Therefore, controlling, the color of beverages and cups may help to control the consumption of drinks.

Difference in Volume Perception of Cooked White Rice according to Size and Color of Rice Bowl in Normal and Obese Women

To examine the effect of obesity on volume perception according to size and color of rice bowl, we divided female college students into a normal weight group ( or =30% fat mass, n=83) and then measured perceived volume of rice bowls of various sizes (general size; 350 ml vs. small size; 188 ml) and color (yellow, white, blue, and black) containing the same amount of cooked white rice (210 g). Normal weight group perceived that the general rice bowl contained significantly more cooked white rice compared to the small rice bowl. In contrast, the obese group perceived that the general rice bowl contained significantly less cooked white rice than the small rice bowl. The estimated variance in perceived volume of both bowls was significantly bigger in the obese group compared to the normal group. There were no differences in perceived volume among any of the subjects (both normal and obese groups) according to rice bowl color. However, the estimated variance in perceived volume in the obese group was significantly larger than that in the normal group for all of the rice bowls. In conclusion, rice bowl size and color might affect volume perception, and volume perception in obese people may be different from that of normal weight people.