Food intake and eating behaviour during a real-life Snack Scenario in childhood obesity-An experiment using a hidden camera.

Objective: To compare food intake and eating behaviour in children and adolescents with obesity (OBE) undergoing weight loss intervention and normal weight (NW) in a real-life Snack Scenario.

Methods: Sixty OBE were examined before (T0) and after weight loss (T1) and compared to a single measurement comparison group of 27 NW. Participants watched a 20-min film and were encouraged to snack from a variety of foods ad libitum. Food intake was measured and eating behaviour assessed via a hidden camera and a validated questionnaire.

Results: The food and energy intake did not differ between NW (155 ± 83 g, 1067 ± 732 kJ) and OBE at T0 (144 ± 106 g, 1088 ± 883 kJ) but increased in OBE at T1 (187 ± 91 g, 1544 ± 845 kJ). Latency of food intake was significantly shorter in NW (0 m:07 s ± 0 m:08 s) compared to OBE (T0: 1 m:11 s ± 2 m:57 s). After weight loss, latency decreased in OBE (0 m:26 s ± 1 m:00 s). NW touched food more often (49 ± 24) than OBE (T0: 29 ± 23), but takes from plate were similar. The questionnaire revealed differences between OBE and NW, not correlating with Snack Scenario observations.

Conclusion: Eating behaviours differed in NW versus OBE at T0 but food intake was similar. Therefore, behaviour while eating may be an underestimated factor in the considerations for childhood obesity.

Clinical Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) with the trial number DRKS00005122.