A groundbreaking study published by researchers from Fujita Health University has found that pizza is eaten significantly faster than traditional chopstick-based bento meals—a discovery with major implications for how eating habits may contribute to obesity and metabolic health. This research highlights that the structure of the meal and utensils used matter more in determining eating speed than previously emphasized tactics such as changing the order in which foods are consumed.
For Thai readers, where fast food restaurants have gained popularity alongside cherished rice and noodle dishes eaten with spoons and chopsticks, this new evidence is particularly relevant. The pace at which we eat, shaped not only by what we eat but also by how meals are presented and consumed, has direct consequences for national efforts to combat rising obesity rates and related chronic diseases.
The study, published in the journal Nutrients, measured how forty-one adult participants—all faculty and staff at the Japanese university—consumed three different meals over a 12-week period. The meals included a hand-held slice of microwave pizza, a hamburger steak bento with broccoli and rice (with vegetables eaten first), and the same bento with vegetables eaten last. Meal duration was meticulously tracked using video and a special chewing-monitoring device known as Bitescan. Researchers found that participants consumed the pizza meal much more quickly than the bento meals that required chopsticks or utensils. On average, eating the bento took 182 seconds longer when vegetables were eaten first, and 216 seconds longer when vegetables were eaten last—both differences highly statistically significant (medicalxpress.com).
Interestingly, the order in which vegetables were eaten in the bento meals did not significantly impact the overall eating time, suggesting that meal sequence—a popular behavioral trick in dietary counseling for glycemic control—may not be as effective in slowing down eating as the type of meal and utensils used. The researchers also reported that bento-style meals led to more chews and a faster chewing tempo, but the number of bites did not meaningfully change between meal types. No relationship was identified between meal duration and participants’ body mass index (BMI). Notably, older age and being male were associated with faster meal completion. The study stresses that traditional guidance to simply “eat more slowly” may be less effective than modifying the meal format itself.
Nutritional experts from Fujita Health University, and echoed by recognized international authorities on eating behavior, assert that the design and serving method of a meal may be an underappreciated lever for encouraging healthier eating habits. “If slowing down is a goal, then choosing meals that require utensils and have multiple distinct components, much like a Japanese bento, may naturally prolong eating time and help moderate intake,” noted the study team in their published findings. This contrasts with the rapid pace associated with fast food—characterized by processed ingredients, high fat and sugar content, and hand-held convenience—that can override satiety signals and encourage overeating.
Within Thailand, where fast food outlets are widespread in urban centers and local diets often combine communal and individually plated meals, these findings offer nuanced insight for public health. The rapid rise of fast food is mirrored across Asia and increasingly contributes to overweight and obesity—a major risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Recent Thai health surveys have shown the prevalence of overweight among adults and adolescents is climbing, particularly in Bangkok and rapidly urbanizing regions (World Health Organization, Ministry of Public Health Thailand). Fast food’s popularity among teens and young adults—a demographic that also spends considerable time on screens—may further accelerate unhealthy eating patterns.
Culturally, traditional Thai meals often feature shared dishes with rice, vegetables, and proteins individually spooned onto the diner’s plate. According to a nutrition specialist at a leading Bangkok hospital, this meal structure can facilitate slower eating and a more mindful approach to food—aligning with the findings from the new study. In contrast, the quick consumption of convenience foods like pizza, burgers, and fried snacks—often marketed for busy lifestyles—are more likely to subvert these cultural strengths.
The broader implication is that while health educators have long encouraged slowing down and savoring food as a strategy to reduce calorie intake and aid digestion, the environmental cues—such as whether food is eaten with hands or utensils, and whether the meal is presented in several distinct parts—play a larger role than previously acknowledged. Musical cues, portion sizes, and bite dimensions have all been studied in the past; now, researchers argue for a renewed focus on meal type and its influence on eating tempo (Nutrients Journal, 2025).
Looking ahead, public health messaging in Thailand might benefit from practical changes: government nutrition programs could promote multi-component Thai or Japanese-style meal sets in schools and cafeterias, encourage families to return to traditional serving styles, and highlight the benefits of chopsticks or spoons over hands for certain meals. These strategies may be easier for individuals and families to implement than willpower-dependent advice like “just eat more slowly”. Future research may also consider whether integrating traditional dining customs—such as communal eating and pacing in social settings—can amplify the natural brake on overeating. Health authorities in Bangkok and other cities, where Western fast food chains proliferate, may also want to examine the placement and portioning of ready-to-eat foods in public canteens.
As fast food culture continues to intersect with Asia’s rich culinary traditions, mindful adaptation of eating environments and utensils could help steer Thai society toward better metabolic health. For Thai families and individuals keen to manage their pace of eating, practical recommendations now include: favoring meals that require utensils and separate components; establishing family dinners where food is served in courses or small shared dishes; and paying close attention to portion size, especially with high-calorie, hand-held foods.
For more information and detailed study results, readers can access the summary on Medical Xpress and refer to related recommendations from the World Health Organization. By making small changes to the structure and presentation of daily meals, Thais can take manageable steps toward healthier lifestyles—without needing to overhaul diets or rely on willpower alone.