Adapted by:
Pablo Martínez-Juarez
WriterEnvironmental economist and science journalist. For a few years, I worked as a researcher on the economics of climate change adaptation. Now I write about that and much more.
Karen Alfaro
WriterCommunications professional with a decade of experience as a copywriter, proofreader, and editor. As a travel and science journalist, I've collaborated with several print and digital outlets around the world. I'm passionate about culture, music, food, history, and innovative technologies.
Losing or controlling weight involves more than a simple equation of calories consumed versus calories burned. Many hidden factors, such as metabolism and social influences, can disrupt this balance.
The other factors. A team of Japanese researchers studied how the number of bites, perceived rhythms in the environment, and gender affect eating duration. The goal is to encourage people to eat more slowly to gain better control over their weight.
Slow down. The idea of slowing down to eat less and lose weight isn’t new. Experts have recommended it for over a decade. While not an infallible method, they say it helps.
The logic behind it involves how the stomach and other digestive organs send signals to the brain and how the brain processes them. This happens in two ways: first through nerve impulses and then through chemical signals sent by certain hormones.
One of these hormonal signals triggers the feeling of fullness. This mechanism is how drugs like Ozempic contribute to weight loss.
An aid. Even with this “trick,” slowing down is easier said than done. That’s why the new study analyzed how different factors affect eating speed. The findings revealed different patterns between men and women.
“While nutritional science is often concerned with food metabolism and absorption and dietary content, there’s limited evidence in Japan on dietary behavior that connects the two,” Katsumi Iizuka, co-author of the study, said. “This intrigue led me to study eating behavior with gender differences,” the researcher added.
33 participants. To test these ideas, the research team observed 33 healthy adults, ages 20 to 65, as they ate slices of pizza. They measured the number of bites, how often participants chewed, and their chewing speed. Researchers also used metronomes and headphones to introduce different rhythmic paces and test participants’ responses.
As expected, the team found significant differences in eating habits between men and women. On average, women took longer to eat their portion (87 seconds compared to 63 seconds for men). Women also chewed more (107 times versus 80 on average) and took more bites (more than twice as many).
Change the pace. Gender wasn’t the only factor influencing eating habits. Rhythmic stimuli also affected meal duration. A pace of 40 beats per minute significantly increased meal length compared to eating without rhythmic stimulation. The study was published in the journal Nutrients.
Make it easier. However, generalizing the study’s findings requires caution. One limitation is the small sample size (33 participants). Another is cultural differences between Japan and other societies.
These differences include gastronomic culture, gender roles, and societal expectations regarding public eating behavior.
Despite these limitations, the results could help develop personalized strategies for weight loss, considering factors such as gender. The study also highlights how changes in context can influence eating behavior, such as using slow-tempo music to encourage slower meals.
Image | Louis Hansel (Unsplash)
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