Study Confirms That Food Portion Sizes Increased In U.S. Over Two Decades

Posted on February 19th, 2010.

Are we big because we eat poorly as a nation? Or are we big because more is on our plates? A new study confirms for the very first time, the latter is empirically true. Food portion sizes have increased in the last two decades. Food portion sizes have grown not only because of fast food restaurant industry but also servings in peoples homes. It is just one more symptom of the changes in eating habits that are causing an epidemic of obesity and overweight in this country, both for adults and children.

: Image by laurenatclemson via Flickr

Integrated with more sedentary lifestyles, increasing caloric intake increases the likelihood of serious health complications such as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes more. Everybody knows this. But what is more interesting, is both adults and children are eating more out than ever before, restaurants.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers Samara Joy Nielsen and Dr. Barry M. Popkin believe “Dietary patterns are rapidly shifting in the United States, and these changes are important contributors to the growing epidemic of obesity and diabetes facing Americans… clearly the problem is that Americans are eating too much food.” http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/01/030122072329.htm

“Americans are eating too much food.” That’s it in a nutshell. How to control food portion sizes? First rule of thumb: don’t be hungry when you eat. (Same theory as it is a bad idea to shop for food when feeling hungry.) Your eyes are always bigger than your stomach. Second, eat while you still feel a bit sated from the previous meal but not full. Not stuffed physically but just not very hungry. You’ll find you don’t have to worry about how to control food portion sizes when you are not actually hungry. That’s why I like products such Thinexa’s natural weight loss supplement. Food portion sizes no longer are an issue.

-admin