Tackling obesity through portion control

2/9/2012

One of the obstacles facing people who are trying to lose weight is the fact that as Americans grow in size, so do portions at restaurants. Recently, a study published in the journal Health Affairs set out to determine if individuals who eat out would choose a smaller portion if the option was available to them.

Scientists had servers at a Chinese restaurant ask patrons if they would like to downsize their portions of three side dishes. The researchers found that an average of one-third of diners chose the smaller size and, furthermore, they did not seem to eat more to make up for the lost calories.

"Overall, those who accepted smaller portions did not compensate by ordering more calories in their entrées, and the total calories served to them were, on average, reduced by more than 200," wrote study authors.

Interestingly, showing people the calorie content of the food did not have an impact on their choices. In fact, the researchers stated that individuals who knew the calorie amount were less likely to choose the downsize option. This suggests that simply having a waiter offer a smaller portion could be an effective way to help people make smarter eating choices.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one-third of Americans are obese. Employee wellness programs can help these individuals shed pounds and reduce their risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

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