Studies on Discriminating Ability for Foods' Weights (I) : Grade and Sex Differences of Weight perception and Discriminating Ability for Foods' Weight

Abstract

Although the training of the discriminating ability for foods' weights is very effective for bridging the gap between theory and practice in the learning of the eating habits, it has not been carried out effectively in home economics education. In the first stage of the present studies, three following sensory tests were examined. 1. A test by using three different weights which were specially made and prepared for the test. In the test, the subjects put each weight on the palm of their hand one by one, and distinguished the rank of the weights. 2. A test by using five different kinds of foods which had different weight individually. The way of the test was the same as the above-mentioned test. 3. A test by using the same five different kinds of foods that were used in the second test. The way of the test was also the same as the second test, except that the subjects had to guess the foods' weight. The subjects were 843 pupils and students of elementary school, junior and senior high schools and university. Results were as follows: 1. In the test by using three different weights, both grade and sex differences were not observed. This fact suggested that one's weight perception was completed before the early stage of the age. 2. On the other hand, in the tests by using five different foods, grade differences were clearly observed, while sex differences were not observed in principle. 3. These results suggested that the extent of discriminating ability of foods'weights is not dependent on the effects of weight perception, but on some other factors involved.