The art of dieting: Exposure to thin sculptures effortlessly reduces the intake of unhealthy food in motivated eaters

Thin, human-like sculptures by the artist Alberto Giacometti, applied as environmental cues, have been found to facilitate dieting by reducing chocolate intake and promoting healthy snack choices. However, the processes underlying this “Giacometti effect” have been left unexplored so far. The present study therefore first examines the effortlessness of the effect. More specifically, it aims to determine whether the sculptures reduce unhealthy food intake when only few cognitive resources for their influence are available. For this purpose, the participants in a chip tasting were given the cognitive load task of memorizing either 10 or two digits during the tasting. The results indicate that the sculptures reduced participants’ chip intake independent of the cognitive load. Thus, they influenced participants’ eating behavior even when only few cognitive resources were available. The results also indicate that the sculptures reduced chip intake only when the participants liked the chips. The sculptures could thus exert their influence when individuals were motivated to eat and the dieting cues were useful. The finding that the Giacometti sculptures, applied as environmental dieting or health cues, influenced individuals when only few cognitive resources were available, could indicate a crucial advantage for the application of these cues in complex, real-world settings.

Issues of patronage : the Denver Civic Center sculptures

Copyright held by the author. DU faculty and students may access digitized MRPs by logging in with their DU ID in the Library's Catalog. Those not affiliated with DU may request digitized or microfilmed MRPs through interlibrary loan. Hard copies of MRPs are available to use by appointment in the Art Office in the Shwayder Art Building on campus.

Sculptures by Herbert Haseltine of champion domestic animals of Great Britain / Presented to Field Museum by trustee Marshall Field.

no.13(1934)

Catalogue des tableaux, sculptures, dessins, gravures et aquarelles exposés dans les galéries du Musée de Caen /

Mode of access: Internet.

Catalogue of Greek sculptures

Includes bibliographical references.

Notice des peintures, sculptures et dessins moderne exposés dans les galeries du Musée National du Luxembourg.

Mode of access: Internet.

Treasures of art in Great Britain : being an account of the chief collections of paintings, drawings, sculptures, illuminated mss., &c. &c. /

Supplemented by: "Summary of an index to Waagen, by Algernon Graves" ([9], 366 p., plate. port. 25 cm.) published: London, Cornmarket, 1970. Facsim. of 1912 ed.

Explication des tableaux, dessins, sculptures, antiquités et curiosités qui y sont exposés.

Cover title.

Le Musée national du Luxembourg : catalogue raisonné et illustré des peintures, sculptures, dessins, gravures en médailles et sur pierres fines, et objets d'art divers des écoles contemporaines /

Includes index.

Explication des peintures, sculptures, et autres ouvrages de messieurs de l'Académie de S. Luc : dont l'exposition se fera le 18 septembre 1756 dans une salle de l'Arsenal, cour du Grand-Maître ...

Final page blank.

Notice des peintures, sculptures et dessins, de l'école moderne exposés dans les galeries du Musée national du Luxembourg.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [xvii]-xxiii) and index.

Explication des peintures, sculptures et gravures, de messieurs de l'Académie royale : dont l'exposition a été ordonnée, suivant l'intention de Sa Majesté /

Signatures: [1]³⁰.

A short guide to the sculptures of the Parthenon : in the British Museum, Elgin Collection.

Preface signed: A. H. Smith.