Abstract
Aim
Cooking and eating for dietary control under low vision is difficult. However, most color schemes which represent an important factor in appetite, for tableware made for individuals with low vision only come in combinations of black and white. This study examined the psychological effects of meal tray color on the visual palatability of meals for individuals with low vision.
Methods
The colors of the trays with the meals found to be most appealing by the SD method were converted to 18 colors on the PCCS on a LCD screen. Participants comprised female university students (age; 21.5±0.67, n=30/color) who sat in front of an LCD screen onto which the 18 colors of trays were projected. After viewing, subjects answered a questionnaire. Results were compared between two groups: a low-vision group in which subjects wore low-vision simulation glasses; and a healthy group without glasses. The questionnaire comprised the following 3 sections: attributes; physical and/or mental condition; and image of the dining space. Images for each tray color were defined by the SD method, using 36 antonymic adjective pairs. The visibility perceived by the color contrast between the tray and dishes were performed by using the full sized color chart instead of the dishes and trays on a LCD screen.
Results
Tray colors b4, b6, b8, p8 and v8 were evaluated most favorably in terms of visual perception for low vision subjects. Tray colors Bk, Gy-3.5, b18, dk8, b12, b24, b2, dp8 and b4 were shown to have high visibility against white dishes.
Conclusion
In the case of table setting with white color dishes, tray color b4 was shown as the most useful color for visual perception, universal color design, and comfort among 18 colors.
