The
American trend for super-size portions has come to the UK
and is contributing to rising levels of obesity, health experts
warn.
They say being seriously overweight can lead to cancer or
heart disease.
The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) says 'two-for-one' or
'meal deal' offers encourage people to eat too much.
It calls on patients to watch what they eat - and companies
to make it easier to choose to eat healthily.
HOW
TO DEAL WITH LARGE PORTIONS
If
there is a choice, opt for the smaller size
Do
not feel you have to clear the plate
Ask
if you can take leftovers home
Only
eat what you need
Be
aware of bigger pack sizes and if you do buy special offers,
do not eat it all at once
But
take advantage of special offers on fruit and vegetables
Share
large portions of sweets of popcorn
One in five people are overweight or obese, the charity warns.
It says the problem is being exacerbated by "portion distortion",
widespread in the US, where enormous meals are served as a matter
of course.
It means Americans under-estimate the amount they eat each day
and then indulge in "unconscious eating".
In 1984, 46% of Americans were overweight and 14% obese. By
2000, the numbers had increased to 64.5% and 30.5%.
'Appealing'
Over the last 20 years the charity says food portions have got
ever bigger. Hamburgers are 112% larger than in 1982, pasta
servings 480% larger, and chocolate chip cookies 700% bigger.
Dr Jeffrey Prince of the WCRIF said: "Between 1980 and the present,
portion sizes ballooned, and so did people. These two trends
occurred simultaneously. Common sense tells you there must be
a connection."
But the charity says the food industry denies there is a link
between bigger food portions are directly linked to obesity.
Doctors say consumers must realise that, though special offers
can be appealing, they are bad for their health.
"The
World Cancer Research Fund has missed its target"
-- Martin Paterson, Food and Drinks Federation
They warn
that obesity increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes,
heart disease and breast, colon, endometrial, oesophageal
and kidney cancers.
Professor Philip James, chairman of the International Obesity
Task Force, speaking on behalf of the WCRF, said: "This is
a warning that needs to be heard.
"People seem to be aware that enjoying a diet of fruit and
vegetables is important, although few actually act on this,
but seem far less aware of the real need to reduce sugar and
fat in their diets to help maintain a healthy body weight."
He added: "We must recognise that the food and drinks industry,
in offering consumers ever larger portion sizes, may be contributing
to the unhealthy nutritional environment which promotes overweight
and obesity.
"The industry can make it easier to make healthy choices and
not over-promote the 'super-sizing' marketing model of the
US.
Control
Ms Paula Hunt, a State Registered Dietician, who is working
with the WCRFI, said: "People think they're getting a bargain
when they get more food for just a few pence more.
"What isn't a bargain are the extra calories and fat that
comes with these 'value meals'.
DIET
TIPS
Limit
weight gain in adulthood to no more than 11 pounds
Do
one hour of moderate exercise each day and one hour a
week of vigorous activity
Eat
plenty of cancer-fighting vegetables, fruits, whole grains
and beans
But
do not eat more food than you need - even if it is healthy
Lose
weight carefully
"But, by exerting a bit more control and deciding for ourselves
how much we should eat, we can face bigger portions without
fear and stay at a healthy weight.
"Most weight loss success stories centre around reduced portion
sizes. It's a simple fact, if you eat less, you'll lose excess
weight."
Richard Elworthy, of the charity CancerBACUP, said: "It's the
type of food as well as portion sizes that's causing the problem.
"We could actually reduce our risk of developing illnesses such
as cancer if we increased our intake of fibre-rich fruit and
vegetables."
Widening choice
But Martin Paterson, Deputy Director General of the Food and
Drinks Federation, said: "The World Cancer Research Fund has
missed its target.
"UK food and drink manufacturers provide many of our favourite
products in a wide variety of sizes and styles to suit consumers'
varied nutritional needs and tastes.
"This widens people's choices for building a healthy, balanced
diet."
But Tim Lang, professor of food policy at City University in
London, said the industry was showing "undue defensiveness".
"The British are eating more and exercising less. This is silly
of us. We have to reverse that trend.
"How much better it would be to keep consumers alive and healthy
longer."
The
American trend for super-size portions has come to the UK
and is contributing to rising levels of obesity, health experts
warn.
