'Happy Meal Effect' Helps Adults, Kids Eat Less

Could eating happy meals help prevent adults from overeating?

After conducting seven experiments, researchers found that adults and children were more willing to eat less food if given a non-food bonus.

"If non-food rewards, even small and uncertain ones, can be just as engaging at a neurochemical level, then restaurants can potentially motivate healthier choices without jeopardizing sales, and consumers have more paths to avoid overeating," said Study author Martin Reimann, assistant professor of marketing at the University of Arizona's Eller College of Management, in a news release.

During the study, students and staff at University of Arizona's Eller College of Management and the University of Southern California could show preference for half a sandwich and a chance to win 10,000 frequent flier miles or a $100 gift card over a full sandwich. Even when the price was reduced, researchers found that the preference remained the same. For instance, the preference did not change with the chance to win a $50 gift card and up to 78 ercent of sixth-graders studied separately also went for a lesser meal when it involved a prize.

The best part about the results, researchers say, is that those who picked smaller portions in lieu of a non-food bonus did not make up for lost calories later. Researchers are hopeful that this could potentially help with motivating others to make healthier choices in the future. 

The study is published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology.

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