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| Portion size key in tackling obesity, says study | Portion size key in tackling obesity, says study |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Reducing the portion sizes offered in supermarkets, restaurants and at home would help reverse the obesity epidemic, say researchers. | Reducing the portion sizes offered in supermarkets, restaurants and at home would help reverse the obesity epidemic, say researchers. |
| They say their review of 61 studies provides the "most conclusive evidence to date" that portion size affects how much we unwittingly eat. | They say their review of 61 studies provides the "most conclusive evidence to date" that portion size affects how much we unwittingly eat. |
| The team at the University of Cambridge also said smaller plates, glasses and cutlery helped people eat less. | The team at the University of Cambridge also said smaller plates, glasses and cutlery helped people eat less. |
| Experts said people were "reluctant" to leave a plate with food on it. | Experts said people were "reluctant" to leave a plate with food on it. |
| Their data, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, shows that when people are offered more food they will eat it. | Their data, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, shows that when people are offered more food they will eat it. |
| And the team warns that in recent decades portion sizes have been increasing. | And the team warns that in recent decades portion sizes have been increasing. |
| How portion sizes have changed | How portion sizes have changed |
| On average between 1993 and 2013: | On average between 1993 and 2013: |
| Source: British Heart Foundation - Portion Distortion report | Source: British Heart Foundation - Portion Distortion report |
| About two in three adults in the UK are either overweight or obese, which increases the risk of heart problems, type 2 diabetes and cancer. | About two in three adults in the UK are either overweight or obese, which increases the risk of heart problems, type 2 diabetes and cancer. |
| The findings, which are based on 6,711 people taking part in a wide range of clinical trials, suggest that eliminating "large portions" could cut up to 279 calories a day out of people's diets. | The findings, which are based on 6,711 people taking part in a wide range of clinical trials, suggest that eliminating "large portions" could cut up to 279 calories a day out of people's diets. |
| Dr Ian Shemilt, from Cambridge's Behaviour and Health Research Unit, told the BBC News website: "This is the most conclusive evidence to date that people consistently consume more food and drink when given larger portions, packaging or tableware. | Dr Ian Shemilt, from Cambridge's Behaviour and Health Research Unit, told the BBC News website: "This is the most conclusive evidence to date that people consistently consume more food and drink when given larger portions, packaging or tableware. |
| "Consumers do have a role to play - for example, all of us can reduce the size of plates or glasses we use and put pressure on the pubs and restaurants we visit by asking for a smaller portion." | "Consumers do have a role to play - for example, all of us can reduce the size of plates or glasses we use and put pressure on the pubs and restaurants we visit by asking for a smaller portion." |
| The team also says government measures to force smaller packs to offer better value for money and upper limits on the size of energy-dense foods would help people lose weight. | The team also says government measures to force smaller packs to offer better value for money and upper limits on the size of energy-dense foods would help people lose weight. |
| Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said: "This study clearly demonstrates that reducing portion sizes is a successful way to cut calories. | Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said: "This study clearly demonstrates that reducing portion sizes is a successful way to cut calories. |
| "It's important to keep an eye on portion sizes when cooking, shopping and eating out to avoid overeating and help maintain a healthy weight." | "It's important to keep an eye on portion sizes when cooking, shopping and eating out to avoid overeating and help maintain a healthy weight." |
| Prof Brian Ratcliffe, emeritus professor of nutrition at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, said: "People seem to be reluctant to leave or waste food and so consume what they are served or find larger portions more attractive. | Prof Brian Ratcliffe, emeritus professor of nutrition at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, said: "People seem to be reluctant to leave or waste food and so consume what they are served or find larger portions more attractive. |
| "A limited number of restaurants and food outlets already offer more than one portion size with appropriate pricing differentials and this seems to be a way forward to help people to avoid overconsumption." | "A limited number of restaurants and food outlets already offer more than one portion size with appropriate pricing differentials and this seems to be a way forward to help people to avoid overconsumption." |