Photo: Gret@Lorenz, Flickr

Do you feel like eating with a group of your girlfriends leads to pigging out? According to a recent study published in Appetite journal, there is a major difference in how women eat around men compared to how they eat around other women.

Based on observations of students in three large university cafeterias, the study found that, when eating with men, women consumed fewer calories. If the woman was eating with a group, her calorie intake was impacted by the number of men in the group. A group of women eating together corresponded with a meal significantly higher in calories.

It's possible that a woman subconsciously feels like smaller, daintier portions make her look more feminine and attractive to her male counterparts. You already know that having overweight friends can influence your weight gain, and if you're trying to find a mate (or just a date), you want to give the impression of being health conscious.

While this is definitely both interesting and useful (don't even pretend you won't have your guard up the next time you're lunching with the ladies), it leaves some questions unanswered. For one thing, this was in a college setting, so it's likely that the subjects were unmarried and in the dating pool. How does this translate to those who are married or in serious relationships? We've all seen friends get married and become "fat and happy," right?

Additionally, the relative weights of the participants would be good to know. If thinner people tend to eat more around their heavier friends, it sure seems like that could be a factor. Fingers crossed for a follow-up study!