A work by Theresa Marteau, from the University of Cambridge in the UK, and colleagues provides the "most conclusive evidence to date" that people consume more food or drinks when faced with larger size portions or packages, and when using larger items of tableware.
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The researchers show that eliminating larger portions completely could reduce daily energy intake consumed by 22-29% among US adults.
On this basis, the team put forward potential policy changes that could reduce the size, availability and appeal of large food and drink portions, to help reduce excessive consumption and prevent obesity.
The suggestions include:
Reducing serving sizes of high-calorie food and drink, such as the standard single serving of candies, fries and cakes
Reducing availability of larger portion and package sizes, for example, by removing the largest serving size
Making larger portion sizes in stores and cafes less accessible, for example, by limiting portion size at checkouts, aisle ends and special displays
Restricting pricing practices that enable larger portion and package sizes to cost less in relative terms than smaller sizes, and restricting price promotions on larger portion and package sizes
Highlighting single portion sizes in packaging
Restricting portion and package sizes in advertisements
Making smaller tableware the norm for self-service and served foods and drinks, including plates, cups and glasses
Designing tableware to encourage smaller mouthfuls, such as shallow plates, straight-sided glasses and smaller cutlery
Pricing tableware in relation to size.
The authors note that sizes of portions, packages and tableware have grown over the past 50 years, and they suggest that 1950s-type portion and tableware sizes could be the optimum size. For food and drinks that are high in energy, the size may have to be reduced by over 50%.
Since the food industry could find it hard to make the first move, a combination of regulatory and non-regulatory measures to help set up a "virtuous circle" that could lead to recalibrated portions may be in order. ■
Modified arctic air combined with a moisture-laden area of low pressure along the Gulf Coast will continue to allow for a broad area of winter weather impacts from the Lower Mississippi Valley to the Southeast today into early Saturday morning.