Eating in the company of greedy friends contributes to the consumption of more food, Dutch scientists have found.
The study involved 70 pairs of girlfriends, of normal weight. Scientists observe them in the process of eating.
All volunteers were provided with the same type and amount of food.
Researchers have found that girlfriends begin to copy each other in terms of the number and timing of each bite. If one reaches for food, the other takes the same action within 5 seconds.
Women use other people as a model for "specific" eating. They are three times more likely than men to behave in this way, especially at the beginning of a meeting, which is a sign that they are trying to strengthen the relationship with the interlocutor or gain the respect of a new acquaintance, explains lead researcher Roel Hermans of Radbaud University. Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
People imitate the traits of their interlocutors, including posture, gestures, manners, and even eating habits.
However, it is not clear whether this is a conscious move. According to experts, it rather depends on the person's personality.
More research is needed to understand whether the effect of imitation is stronger or weaker when a person eats with a family member or a new acquaintance, the researchers emphasize.
The results were published in the journal PLoS ONE .