Effect of plate color on dietary intake in young people with mild intellectual disabilities

This study aimed to investigate whether plate color affects dietary intake in young people with mild intellectual disabilities. The experiment employed a within-subjects, repeated-measures design. A portion of fried rice (400 g) was presented on a white plate, red plate, or blue plate. Twenty subjects (12 male, 8 female; aged 15-21 years) took part. Although the amount served was always the same, most of the subjects (80%) estimated that the amount of fried rice on a white plate was more than the amount in a regular rice bowl. In contrast, 50% or 40% of the subjects perceived the amount of fried rice on the red or blue plate, respectively, to be more than the amount in a regular rice bowl. Plate color did not have a significant effect on the amount consumed. There were no significant differences in satiety and hunger ratings across conditions for 2 hours after each test meal. Young people with intellectual disabilities, who are less influenced by the environment as a result of their cognitive deficits, may be forced to rely more on internal factors than on external factors.