In the spring of 2003, I wrote a four-part series on U.S. food consumption and obesity.1-4 I included many tables of disappearance data derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.
Since I wrote that series of articles, the evidence for my complex theory that weight gain may be related to caloric intake has been building.5-8 I recently came across a small study that adds to my theory.9 Thirteen college students (nine males, four females) were recruited for what they thought was a two-week study on food taste enhancers and the perception of certain foods. On a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of one week, a lunch buffet was set up for them. They were instructed to take and eat as much food as they wanted. Their plates were weighed and analyzed before each meal.
When the test subjects had finished eating, researchers again analyzed anything left on their plates. Subjects also kept a food and activity diary on the study days.
In the second week, the subjects were divided into three groups. This time, the researchers provided the food, based on the average of what and how much the subjects had consumed during their three buffet meals the previous week. Subjects were instructed to follow their food and activity diaries from week one - in other words, eat the same type and quantity of food they had in the previous week, and maintain the same activities that were listed in their diaries. The subjects had the impression that this was needed to rule out any effect different foods, portions, or activities would have on their "taste enhancement and food perception," which were supposedly being studied during their lunches. In reality, researchers were studying what effect serving size had on the amount consumed.
As indicated in the table below, the 100 percent meal was an average of the amount the subjects self-selected in week one. Then, 25 percent or 50 percent more of the same types of foods were added to their plates on various days in week two. Results showed that the average calories consumed on the 100 percent days were 698. Subjects ate 863 calories when their plates contained 125 percent of the foods they had self-selected, and 971 calories on the days their plates contained 150 percent of the amount they had originally selected. The amount of food both males and females consumed was not associated with hunger; in all cases, consumption was directly associated with portion size.
* Percentages refer to portion size, as determined by the average of the amounts consumed ad libitum in week one. |
This study was far from perfect and had plenty of limitations, including 1) a small sample size; 2) supervision only on the test meal; and 3) a short duration. However, it does make one stop, pause and consider the remote possibility that the more they give us, the more we eat.
References
- Andersen GD. U.S. food consumption and obesity, part 1. Dynamic Chiropractic, March 24, 2003;21(7):50.
- Andersen GD. U.S. food consumption and obesity, part 2. Dynamic Chiropractic, April 21, 2003;21(9):40.
- Andersen GD. U.S. food consumption and obesity, part 3. Dynamic Chiropractic, May 19, 2003;21(11):58.
- Andersen GD. U.S. food consumption and obesity, part 4. Dynamic Chiropractic, June 13, 2003;21(13):22.
- Wansink B. Environmental factors that increase the food intake and consumption volume of unknowing consumers. Annu Rev Nutr 2004;24:455-479.
- Rolls BJ, Roe LS, Kral TV, et al. Increasing the portion size of a packaged snack increases energy intake in men and women. Appetite 2004;42:63-69.
- Kral TV, Roe LS, Rolls BJ. Combined effects of energy density and portion size on energy intake in women. Amer J Clin Nutr 2004;79:962-968.
- Rolls BJ, Roe LS, Meengs JS, Wall DE. Increasing the portion size of a sandwich increases energy intake. J Amer Dietetic Assoc 2004;104:367-372.
- Levipsky DA, Woun P. The more food young adults are served, the more they overeat. J Nutr 2004;134:2546-49.
G. Douglas Andersen, DC, DACBSP, CCN
Brea, California
www.andersEnchiro.com
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