Effects of floor plan openness on eating behaviors

A repeated-measures study, conducted with 57 college students in a research kitchen-dining area, examined effects of floor plan openness on eating behaviors. Openness was manipulated via folding screens placed in an open plan kitchen-dining area to simulate separate, enclosed kitchen and dining spaces. Effects of the open floor plan, characterized by greater visibility and convenience of food access when compared with the closed floor plan, on three eating behaviors were examined during a buffet-style meal. Eating behaviors included number of serving trips to the buffet, amount served, and amount consumed. Regression analyses indicated that openness significantly, directly influenced the number of serving trips. Food serving trips and amount served also serially mediated the relation between floor plan openness and amount consumed, suggesting that floor plan openness may indirectly affect consumption. Results have implications for floor plan design and creating healthier interior eating environments.