QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Ledikwe, J. H. Articles by Rolls, B. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Ledikwe, J. H. Articles by Rolls, B. J.

---

Symposium: Modifying the Food Environment: Energy Density, Food Costs, and Portion Size

Portion Sizes and the Obesity Epidemic^1,2

Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

³To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: bjr4{at}psu.edu.

The rise in obesity rates over the past 30 y has been paralleled by increases in the portion size of many foods and the prevalence of eating away from home. Foods of particular concern are those that have a high energy density (kJ/g). Many well-controlled, laboratory-based studies have found that large portions of energy-dense foods can lead to excess energy intakes. This influence of large portions on energy intake has been supported by data collected in naturalistic settings. Further research is needed to explore strategies that can be used to moderate the effects of portion size on food consumption. One promising strategy is to reduce the energy density of foods, while maintaining food weight or volume, so that consumers can eat satisfying portions while reducing their energy intakes. There is a need for effective educational messages that not only emphasize limiting the consumption of foods high in energy density, but also encourage the consumption of those with a low energy density, such as fruits and vegetables. The delivery of consistent messages will require more cooperation among the food and restaurant industries, policy makers, and scientists. Effective strategies will also require consumers to understand and accept the importance of eating reasonable portions for better health.

KEY WORDS: • portion size • energy density • energy intakes • obesity • weight management

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. O Fisher, A. Arreola, L. L Birch, and B. J Rolls Portion size effects on daily energy intake in low-income Hispanic and African American children and their mothers Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, December 1, 2007; 86(6): 1709 - 1716. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. K. Newby Are Dietary Intakes and Eating Behaviors Related to Childhood Obesity? A Comprehensive Review of the Evidence J. Law Med. Ethics, March 1, 2007; 35(1): 35 - 60. [PDF]

				B. Wansink and P. Chandon Meal size, not body size, explains errors in estimating the calorie content of meals. Ann Intern Med, September 5, 2006; 145(5): 326 - 332. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. J Rolls, L. S Roe, and J. S Meengs Reductions in portion size and energy density of foods are additive and lead to sustained decreases in energy intake Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, January 1, 2006; 83(1): 11 - 17. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A Ello-Martin, J. H Ledikwe, and B. J Rolls The influence of food portion size and energy density on energy intake: implications for weight management Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2005; 82(1): 236S - 241S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Drewnowski and B. J. Rolls How to Modify the Food Environment J. Nutr., April 1, 2005; 135(4): 898 - 899. [Full Text] [PDF]