EATING BEHAVIOR IN OBESE AND NORMAL WEIGHT 11-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN

The eating behaviour of 23 normal weight and 20 obese 11-year-old children was measured by the computerized eating monitor VIKTOR. The total intake of food, duration of consumption, rate of consumption and the relative rate of consumption were measured during two lunch meals. Subjective motivation to eat and food preferences were also measured. The obese children ate faster (P < 0.05) and did not slow down their eating rate towards the end of the meal (P < 0.05) as much as normal weight children. The obese children also described themselves as having less motivation to eat before lunch than normal weight children (P < 0.05). A deficient satiety signal or an impared response to such signals in obese subjects could possibly explain these differences found.