eettempo

Eettempo is a Dutch term describing the pace at which a person consumes food during a meal. In nutrition science and dietetics, eettempo is used to refer to how quickly meals are eaten, and it can be described by measures such as bites per minute or the time needed to finish a portion. It can vary between meals and individuals and is influenced by the type of food, social context, and eating environment.

Research on eettempo indicates associations with energy intake and weight status. A faster eettempo is often linked to higher caloric intake and a greater likelihood of overweight or obesity, while slower eating can promote longer satiety and reduced intake. However, results are not universally consistent, and causality remains debated. The relationship can be affected by factors such as meal energy density, palatability, and portion size, as well as reverse influences where hunger or appetite drive tempo.

Measurement of eettempo includes self-report questionnaires, direct observation of meals, and device-based methods that track bites, swallows, or time per portion. Determinants include hunger level, taste, social dining, cultural norms, food texture, and the overall eating setting. Meals with liquids, highly processed foods, or rapid chewing can alter tempo differently than solid, fiber-rich foods.

Applications and strategies often aim to adjust eettempo to support healthier eating patterns. Methods include mindful or slow eating, pausing between bites, putting utensils down between bites, and choosing foods that require more chewing. These approaches are typically used as part of broader behavioral or dietary interventions.

See also: eating rate, mindful eating, satiety, meal duration.