“Mirror, mirror on the wall …”

In a study directed by Brad Bushman, associate professor of psychology at Iowa State, it was discovered that when participants ate in front of a mirror, they consumed 32 percent less “full-fat” food. The 1998 study, Bushman said, is featured in the December issue of Mademoiselle, and it also has run in Redbook and other publications.

This research was conducted by Stacy M. Sentyrz, who received her master’s degree in psychology in summer 1999. She conducted the study as part of her honors thesis, and Bushman advised her during the course of the study.

The study itself, “Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Who’s the Thinnest One of All? Effects of Self-awareness on Consumption of Full-Fat, Reduced-Fat and No-Fat Products,” was aimed at testing the social-psychological theory of self-awareness.

The theory argues that “if people behave inconsistently with their values and beliefs, they feel unpleasant,” Bushman said. “They realize that they need to shape up or ship out.”

The two-part study, consisting first of students and then shoppers, had 320 people sample regular, low-fat and fat-free cream cheeses. Half of the participants were seated in front of mirrors and could see themselves eat each mini-bagel. The other half ate without a mirror.

People in both groups ate the same amount of cream cheese, but the ones in front of the mirrors ate less regular cream cheese and more of the low-fat and fat-free cream cheese.

“Most people had internal values about eating healthy food,” Bushman said. “[These results will] either make them change their attitude or forget about it.”

Bushman said this is an effective method for eating well because people will change their behaviors without even realizing it. He has tried to contact Weight Watchers to market these ideas for its clients.

As far as the study’s practicality, for some, the verdict is still out.

Pamela White, professor in food science and human nutrition, said in the “long-term, [this method] would probably not have the same impact, but it depends on the individual.”

White said this method needs to be used in correlation with a modified food intake as well as an increase in exercise.