Individually-wrapped sweets could deter weight loss
People on a diet should try to avoid buying sweets or chocolates that are individually-wrapped as consumers eat more of a product if it is in a smaller package.Such is the main finding of a new study by University of Canada researcher Jennifer Argo, which will be published in the Journal of Marketing.
She found that people with low self-esteem, who tend to be concerned about their body weight, tend to consume more if they think a food is low fat or in a smaller package.
However, it was also found that if a package had no nutritional information on it, people in this group would eat less than the average population.
Ms Argo said: "These consumers are basically saying, 'this package is going to protect me; it's going to help me achieve my goal',and so they relinquish control to the package."
Instead, consumers should buy regular-sized packages and exercise portion control if they are trying to lose weight, with the added benefit that this will help them save money.
As it is Halloween, dieters could find plenty of individually-wrapped sweets and chocolates in their home from trick or treating but maybe they should give them to the kids instead.
