In a naturalistic study, we investigated the influence of gender, group size and gender composition of groups of eaters on food selected for lunch and dinner converted to total calories per meal of 469 individuals 198 groups in three large university cafeterias. In dyads, women observed eating with a male companion chose foods of significantly lower caloric value than those observed eating with another woman. Overall, group size was not a significant predictor of calories, but womens calories were negatively predicted by numbers of men in the group, while the numbers of women in the group had a marginally significant positive impact on calorie estimates. Mens calorie totals were not affected by total numbers of men or women. This study supports previous investigations, but is unique in making naturalistic observations.

via ScienceDirect – Appetite : Food for thought. What you eat depends on your sex and eating companions .