Kids 6 and younger, in a new study called Eating in larger groups increases food consumption,
ate 30% more graham crackers when they ate with 8 other kids, than when they snacked with just 2 other kids.

Ate more, and ate faster

. A recipe for pediatric obesity if ever one was.

Brian Wansink has done the same research in adults, with the same results, and the New York Times summarizes the two main theories why:
1. People see the food on the table for a longer period of time, and compete for it, as is genetically programmed into us: they follow the see-food diet.
2. People socialize, enjoy themselves and eat more because it is part of the enjoyment.
I’d suggest a third theory, based on my clinical practice in weight loss, often with executives.
3. People like being part of a group, and eat at the level of the group.

The latter is also suggested by Wansink’s research.

To eat less, eat with a small group, and sit next to the person who eats the least.

You’ll have the proximate example of someone who eats less than you do, egging you on to eat less yourself, however silently.

Of course, if you tend to eat the right portions, you might want not to eat in big groups at all.

Graham crackers aren’t bad, but they are a dessert, not an every day food. The easy way to give them the right portion is to not serve grahams at the table/in the play group/all around.

Just like adults, just pre-plate (parents who pre-plate their own food in the kitchen rather than serving themselves and others at the table fill up more quickly and eat less, and are less likekly to take seconds. Try it.