Increased portion size leads to a sustained increase in energy intake over 4 days in normal weight and overweight men and women

Original article can be found at: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=BJN Copyright: the authors. DOI:10.1017/S0007114508201960Large food portions may be facilitating excess energy intake (EI) and adiposity among adults. The present study aimed to assess the extent to which EI and amounts of foods consumed are influenced by the availability of different-sized food portions. A randomised within-subject cross-over, fully residential design was used, where forty-three (twenty-one men and twenty-two women) normal-weight and overweight adults were randomly allocated to two separate 4 d periods where they were presented with either ‘standard’ or ‘large’ food portions of the same foods and beverages. The main outcome measures were the amount of food (g) and EI (MJ) consumed throughout each study period. Mean EI over 4 d was significantly higher on the large portion condition compared with the standard condition in the total group (59·1 (sd 6·6) v. 52·2 (sd 14·3) MJ; P = 0·020); men and women increased their EI by 17 % (10 (sd 6·5) MJ; P < 0·001) and 10 % (4 (sd 6·5) MJ; P = 0·005) respectively when served the large food portions relative to the standard food portions. The increased intakes were sustained over the 4 d in the large portion condition with little evidence of down-regulation of EI and food intake being made by subjects. Increased food portion size resulted in significant and sustained increases in EI in men and women over 4 d under fully residential conditions. The availability and consumption of larger portions of food may be a significant factor contributing to excess EI and adiposity.Peer reviewe

Dietary determinants of childhood obesity : the role of the family

Original article can be found at : http://www.remedicajournals.com/ Copyright Remedica Medical Education and Publishing Ltd. (UK) [Full text of this article is not available in the UHRA]The article reviews the evidence regarding the role of the family in determining dietary risk factors for childhood obesity. The factors that may contribute to the association between healthy eating habits and dining with family members include learning to eat at a slower pace and learning how to follow internal satiety. Several parent-child feeding strategies are also cited which include restriction of access to particular foods by parents.Peer reviewe