BYU NewsNet - Social Eating Lends to More Food Consumption

As students gather at the many social occasions that frequent university life, many face the challenge of overindulging when surrounded by friends at the refreshment table.

According to a study conducted by psychologist John de Castro from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, people tend to eat more food when in a social situation.

On average, when eating with another person, one consumes 35 percent more than he or she would when dining alone. When eating with a group of seven or more people, an individual eats almost twice what he or she would when eating alone, Castro said in an article on MSNBC.

People tend to eat more in social situations and when a wide variety of foods are available, said Lora Beth Brown, a nutrition, dietetics and food science professor at BYU.

Brown said eating in social situations often puts people at ease, but also causes people to eat more.

"Be aware of mindless eating," Brown said. "We eat in social situations to keep our hands busy and give us something to do when we aren't talking. This keeps us from feeling awkward."

Don't stop eating with others, but rather start planning healthy and nutritious dinner meals with friends and roommates, Brown said.

Be choosy when it comes to eating at parties, she said. Get the food you want then make a conscious effort to move away from the table.

"Pay attention to feelings of hunger and satisfaction," Brown said. "Realize when you are full after eating something delicious, and although you want more, stop yourself."

A group of freshman friends agreed that food is a great escape when a party is boring or they don't know many people.

"Eating's a way for you to feel like you're doing something," said Michelli Santana, one of the friends. "When you eat you don't feel lonely because you don't know anybody."

The group said when they are at a party they try not to eat too much because they don't want to embarrass themselves, but when they get together as girls they definitely eat more and have a good time.