Obesity triggered by overeating is due to bigger servings, study confirms

• comments
• 
• 

Overconsumption of food can certainly lead to obesity, that is why most individuals try to limit their intake as much as possible. However, according to a new study, individuals may not solely be at fault, because overeating can be a result of bigger serving portions and larger plates.

Health Day News reports that based on a new British study from the University of Cambridge, eliminating big serving portions can reduce American food intake by about 29 percent. Dr. Gareth Hollands, lead author of the study and a behavioral health researcher from the same university, explains that the risk of overeating can be removed if the appeal, availability and size of food choices in restaurants will be limited.

Dr. Hollands shares that other personal behaviors or characteristics, like lack of self control or being overweight, may also play an important role in overconsumption of food, but the results of the study notes that it is not always the case. The researchers believe that it all leads to one principle - once overeating is removed, obesity and other medical complications that result from it, like cancer, diabetes and heart diseases, may also be reduced or removed.

Medical Daily adds that the researchers looked through results of 60 studies that made use of almost 6,800 participants who were allowed to eat in different environments. Dr. Hollands and his team were astounded to realize that by simply cutting the serving portions and even the size of the plates used, a participant was able to cut almost 530 calories per day. Furthermore, this result is similar in both adults and children, regardless of gender, health status and self-control capacity.

The researchers also discovered that price is a contributing factor in the number of calories a person eats in a day. Bulk buying, though it costs less and gives more savings, can increase the caloric consumption of an individual per day.

BBC News says many health and nutrition experts believe that cutting down serving portions and sizes can be one of the best ways to reduce calories. Chief nutritionist from the Public Health England shares that one way to maintain portion sizes is by watching how you cook and shop.

He also shares it's best to limit eating out to a minimum. Not only will it ensure that you are eating the adequate daily caloric intake, but will also keep you eating a well-balanced meal.

The study was published in the journal Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews last September 14th.