Social facilitation of energy intake in adult women is sustained over three days in a crossover laboratory experiment and is not compensated for under free-living conditions.

People eat more when they eat a meal with familiar others than they do when eating alone. However, it is unknown whether eating socially impacts intake over the longer-term. The aim of Study 1 was to examine whether socially facilitated intake is sustained across all meals and across three consecutive days.

The social facilitation of eating: why does the mere presence of others cause an increase in energy intake?

There is strong evidence that people eat more when eating with friends and family, relative to when eating alone. This is known as the 'social facilitation of eating'. In this review, we discuss several gaps in the current scientific understanding of this phenomenon, and in doing so, highlight important areas for future research.

People serve themselves larger portions before a social meal.

One of the most powerful influences on food intake yet identified is the presence of familiar others at an eating occasion: people eat much more when they eat with friends/family than when they eat alone. But why this is the case is unclear. Across two studies (Study 1: N = 98; Study 2: N = 120), we found that the mere anticipation of social interaction is all that is needed to promote the selection of larger meals, and that this occurs even when a person is alone when they make their decision.

Obesity Stigma: Is the 'Food Addiction' Label Feeding the Problem?

Obesity is often attributed to an addiction to high-calorie foods. However, the effect of "food addiction" explanations on weight-related stigma remains unclear. In two online studies, participants ( = 439, = 523, respectively, recruited from separate samples) read a vignette about a target female who was described as 'very overweight'.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the social facilitation of eating.

Background: Research suggests that people tend to eat more when eating with other people, compared with when they eat alone, and this is known as the social facilitation of eating. However, little is known about when and why this phenomenon occurs.

Objectives: This review aimed to quantify the evidence for social facilitation of eating and identify moderating factors and underlying mechanisms.

Guilty pleasures: The effect of perceived overeating on food addiction attributions and snack choice.

Despite being widely debated throughout the scientific community, the concept of food addiction remains a popular explanation for overeating and obesity amongst the lay public. Overeating is often accompanied by feelings of guilt and dietary concern, and this may lead people to attribute their eating to an addiction in order to minimise personal responsibility. Research also indicates that food addiction attributions and dietary concern may lead people to limit their exposure to tempting foods.

Food Addiction Beliefs Amongst the Lay Public: What Are the Consequences for Eating Behaviour?

Purpose Of Review: The current paper reviews recent research on perceptions of food addiction in the lay public. It also examines the potential consequences of such beliefs for eating behaviour.

Recent Findings: Surveys suggest that, within community samples, the majority of individuals believe that certain foods are addictive, and that food addiction causes obesity.

Exploring food reward and calorie intake in self-perceived food addicts.

Previous research indicates that many people perceive themselves to be addicted to food. These 'self-perceived food addicts' may demonstrate aberrant eating patterns which put them at greater risk of overeating. However this is yet to be empirically investigated.

Believing in food addiction: Helpful or counterproductive for eating behavior?

Objective: Obesity is often attributed to an addiction to food, and many people believe themselves to be "food addicts." However, little is known about how such beliefs may affect dietary control and weight management. The current research examined the impact of experimentally manipulating participants' personal food addiction beliefs on eating behavior.

Eating to live or living to eat? Exploring the causal attributions of self-perceived food addiction.

Previous studies indicate that many people perceive themselves to be addicted to food. However, little is known about how the concept of 'food addiction' is defined amongst members of the lay public. The current study examined beliefs about the cognitive and behavioural manifestations of food addiction.

"Food addiction is real". The effects of exposure to this message on self-diagnosed food addiction and eating behaviour.

Food addiction is widely discussed in popular media in many Westernised societies. However, a potential concern is that endorsement of the food addiction model may cause people to perceive a lack of personal control over eating which could promote unhealthy dietary behaviours. To address this possibility, the current study investigated whether exposure to food addiction messages would, firstly, increase the number of participants who self-diagnosed as food addicts and, secondly, increase intake of indulgent foods.