Comparison of Self-Reported Speed of Eating with an Objective Measure of Eating Rate.

Slow eating may be beneficial in reducing energy intake although there is limited research quantifying eating rate. Perceived speed of eating was self-reported by 78 adults using a standard question "On a scale of 1-5 (very slow-very fast), how fast do you believe you eat?" Timing the completion of meals on three occasions was used to assess objective eating rate. The mean (SD) speeds of eating by self-reported categories were 49 (13.