Table 2 Outline of the moderator’s questioning route
Question category | Question |
|---|---|
Opening questions | Please introduce yourself and describe what you ate for dinner the previous evening. |
Introductory questions | What does a healthy diet mean for an adult? |
How do you know how much food you should eat? | |
Key questions in regard to consumer understanding of food portions | What does the term portion size mean to you? |
Do you ever attempt to control food portion sizes, and if so, how and why is this done? | |
Key questions in regard to consumer awareness and use of portion size guidance | Where do you find information/guidance on food portion size? |
What is the nature of the advice and how helpful is it? What is your overall impression of the Food Pyramid used in Ireland and the UK ‘Eatwell Plate’? | |
Do you want further information about food portions, and if so, who from and in what format? | |
Key questions in regard to food purchase | Does food packaging/price influence how much you eat? |
Key questions in regard to the selection of portion size prior to consumption | When preparing food, how do you determine the right proportion of food for yourself? (e.g. measuring). |
Are different quantities of food served to different household members? | |
Does the amount served at one mealtime depend on other foods eaten throughout the day? | |
Key questions in regard to portion size decisions during consumption | Once a meal has been served, what factors influence how much you consume? |
Are second servings often consumed, and if so, why? Who serves them? | |
Key questions in regard to the eating environment | Does eating at different places or even with different people influence the amount you eat? If so, how? |
Do any other places or times influence the amount you eat? | |
Ending questions | Can you think of any other instances, whereby, your portion size would change? |
What factors influenced how much you ate last night? |