For Immediate Release: April 16, 2003
Contact: press@decisionanalyst.com
Majority Of Americans Believe Some Restaurants Serve
Portions That Are Too Large American Consumer Opinion® Study Shows
ARLINGTON, Texas - Most Americans believe some restaurants serve portions that are too large, according to a nationwide study by American Consumer Opinion®.
The Health and Nutrition Strategist™ syndicated study, American Consumer Opinion™ asked 4,156 survey respondents about the amount of food they are served by restaurants. Among all surveyed, 57% agreed completely or agreed somewhat that some restaurants often serve portions that are too large. About 23% of respondents neither agreed nor disagreed, and 20% disagreed completely or disagreed somewhat that restaurant portions are too large.
By gender, 67% of female respondents said restaurant portions are too large, while 47% of male respondents felt the same way. Older respondents (over 65) also tended to think portions are too large (68%), while only 55% of younger folks (18-24) think portions are too large.
Figure 1: Food Portions In Some Restaurants Are Often Too Large
(By Age)
| Age |
Agreed Completely/Somewhat |
Neither Agreed Nor Disagreed |
Disagreed Completely/Somewhat |
| 18 to 24 |
55% |
21% |
25% |
| 25 to 34 |
57% |
23% |
20% |
| 35 to 44 |
54% |
26% |
21% |
| 45 to 54 |
51% |
26% |
24% |
| 55 to 64 |
58% |
25% |
18% |
| 65 or older |
68% |
19% |
13% |
Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
The survey shows that the higher one’s income, the more likely she or he is to believe that portions are too large. For example, 45% of respondents earning under $25,000 annually said food portions are sometimes too large, while 70% of respondents earning at least $150,000 said portions are sometimes too large.
Figure 2: Food Portions In Some Restaurants Are Often Too Large
(By Income)
| Income |
Agreed Completely/Somewhat |
Neither Agreed Nor Disagreed |
Disagreed Completely/Somewhat |
| Under $25,000 |
45% |
28% |
27% |
| $25,000 to $49,999 |
57% |
23% |
20% |
| $50,000 to $99,999 |
62% |
20% |
18% |
| $100,000 to $149,999 |
65% |
23% |
12% |
| $150,000 or more |
70% |
19% |
11% |
Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
Those respondents who “Don’t worry about nutrition when they eat out” are much less likely to agree that portions are too large (53%) than those who “Try to make healthy choices when they eat out” (70%).
Figure 3: Food Portions In Some Restaurants Are Often Too Large
(Eating Attitudes)
| Agree With The Statement |
Agree Restaurant Portions Are Too Large |
| “I don’t worry about nutrition when I eat out” |
53% |
| “When I eat out I try to make healthy choices” |
70% |
Methodology
The Health and Nutrition Strategist™ was conducted online via the American Consumer Opinion® panel from January 2006 through December 2006 using a nationally representative, statistically balanced sample of 4,156 American adults. The margin of error is plus or minus 2%, at a 99% confidence level. The Health and Nutrition Strategist™ syndicated study is a massive, integrated knowledge-base of food, beverage consumption, restaurant usage, health habits and nutritional attitudes.
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