Exploring the Experiences of People with Obesity Using Portion Control Tools—A Qualitative Study

Background Large portion sizes increase consumption and eating smaller portions is recommended as a weight control strategy. However, many people report difficulties enacting this advice. This study examined the experience of using two commercially available portion control tools by individuals trying to manage their weight. Methods In a cross-over design, 29 obese adults (18 women) who had attended a 12 week weight loss intervention in the community were invited to use two tool sets over a period of four weeks (two weeks each) with minimal health professional contact and to complete a semi-structured questionnaire about their experience. The tools were a guided crockery set (sector plate, calibrated bowl and calibrated glass) and a set of calibrated serving spoons (one for starch, one for protein and one for vegetables). Data were analysed using thematic framework analysis. Results A key theme category was educational benefits of the tools, such as generating awareness, guidance and gaining an ability to serve appropriate portions. Other key themes were tool usability, acceptability and feasibility related to the tool´s design. Suggested improvements included making instructions and calibration marks clearer and increasing versatility (e.g. for different foods, contexts and users). Conclusions Overall participants found both tools easy to use and potentially effective for learning to control portions suggesting that these instruments could be of help in weight management interventions alongside other strategies. Elements of the tool design could be important in mediating the educational effect of such tools and need further investigation.