HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response View responses View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science 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 Web of Science (236) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Young, L. R. Articles by Nestle, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Young, L. R. Articles by Nestle, M. Related Collections Obesity, Overweight, Underweight Health Promotion Nutrition/Food

Lisa R. Young, PhD, RD and Marion Nestle, PhD, MPH

The authors are with the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, New York University, New York City.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Lisa R. Young, PhD, RD, Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, New York University, 35 W 4th St, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10012-1172 (e-mail: lisa.young{at}nyu.edu).

Objectives. Because larger food portions could be contributing to the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity, this study was designed to weigh samples of marketplace foods, identify historical changes in the sizes of those foods, and compare current portions with federal standards.

Methods. We obtained information about current portions from manufacturers or from direct weighing; we obtained information about past portions from manufacturers or contemporary publications.

Results. Marketplace food portions have increased in size and now exceed federal standards. Portion sizes began to grow in the 1970s, rose sharply in the 1980s, and have continued in parallel with increasing body weights.

Conclusions. Because energy content increases with portion size, educational and other public health efforts to address obesity should focus on the need for people to consume smaller portions.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				W. M. Vermeer, E. Alting, I. H. M. Steenhuis, and J. C. Seidell Value for money or making the healthy choice: the impact of proportional pricing on consumers' portion size choices Eur J Public Health, February 1, 2010; 20(1): 65 - 69. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. I. Levin Plaque Vulnerability: Pathologic Form and Patient Fate J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., January 12, 2010; 55(2): 133 - 134. [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Kuo, C. J. Jarosz, P. Simon, and J. E. Fielding Menu Labeling as a Potential Strategy for Combating the Obesity Epidemic: A Health Impact Assessment Am J Public Health, September 1, 2009; 99(9): 1680 - 1686. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. V. Moore, A. V. Diez Roux, J. A. Nettleton, D. R. Jacobs, and M. Franco Fast-Food Consumption, Diet Quality, and Neighborhood Exposure to Fast Food: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis Am. J. Epidemiol., July 1, 2009; 170(1): 29 - 36. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. M. Ziol-Guest A Single Father's Shopping Bag: Purchasing Decisions in Single-Father Families Journal of Family Issues, May 1, 2009; 30(5): 605 - 622. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. E. J. Faulkner, P. F. Gorczynski, and T. A. Cohn Psychiatric Illness and Obesity: Recognizing the "Obesogenic" Nature of an Inpatient Psychiatric Setting Psychiatr Serv, April 1, 2009; 60(4): 538 - 541. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. C. Lindsay, K. M. Sussner, M. L. Greaney, and K. E. Peterson Influence of Social Context on Eating, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Behaviors of Latina Mothers and Their Preschool-Age Children Health Educ Behav, February 1, 2009; 36(1): 81 - 96. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. P. August, S. Caprio, I. Fennoy, M. Freemark, F. R. Kaufman, R. H. Lustig, J. H. Silverstein, P. W. Speiser, D. M. Styne, and V. M. Montori Prevention and Treatment of Pediatric Obesity: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline Based on Expert Opinion J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., December 1, 2008; 93(12): 4576 - 4599. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. D. Mattes Food Palatability, Rheology, and Meal Patterning JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, September 1, 2008; 32(5): 572 - 574. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. K. Kumanyika, E. Obarzanek, N. Stettler, R. Bell, A. E. Field, S. P. Fortmann, B. A. Franklin, M. W. Gillman, C. E. Lewis, W. C. Poston II, et al. Population-Based Prevention of Obesity: The Need for Comprehensive Promotion of Healthful Eating, Physical Activity, and Energy Balance: A Scientific Statement From American Heart Association Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, Interdisciplinary Committee for Prevention (Formerly the Expert Panel on Population and Prevention Science) Circulation, July 22, 2008; 118(4): 428 - 464. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. W. Ponder and M. A. Anderson Teaching Families to Keep Their Children S.A.F.E. From Obesity Diabetes Spectr, January 1, 2008; 21(1): 50 - 53. [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Tyler, C. A. Johnston, and J. P. Foreyt Themed Review: Lifestyle Management of Obesity American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, December 1, 2007; 1(6): 423 - 429. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. E. O'Neil and T. A. Nicklas State of the Art Reviews: Relationship Between Diet/ Physical Activity and Health American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, December 1, 2007; 1(6): 457 - 481. [Abstract] [PDF]

				N. F. Krebs, J. H. Himes, D. Jacobson, T. A. Nicklas, P. Guilday, and D. Styne Assessment of Child and Adolescent Overweight and Obesity Pediatrics, December 1, 2007; 120(Supplement_4): S193 - S228. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. D. Piette Interactive Behavior Change Technology to Support Diabetes Self-Management: Where do we stand? Diabetes Care, October 1, 2007; 30(10): 2425 - 2432. [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. H. Witkowski Food Marketing and Obesity in Developing Countries: Analysis, Ethics, and Public Policy Journal of Macromarketing, June 1, 2007; 27(2): 126 - 137. [Abstract] [PDF]

				Y. Wang and M. A. Beydoun The Obesity Epidemic in the United States--Gender, Age, Socioeconomic, Racial/Ethnic, and Geographic Characteristics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis Epidemiol. Rev., May 17, 2007; (2007) mxm007v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. B. Werner, A. H. Feinstein, and C. E. Hardigree The Risk to the American Fast-Food Industry of Obesity Litigation Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, May 1, 2007; 48(2): 201 - 214. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. B. Schwartz and K. D. Brownell Actions Necessary to Prevent Childhood Obesity: Creating the Climate for Change J. Law Med. Ethics, March 1, 2007; 35(1): 78 - 89. [PDF]

				N. M. Wells, S. P. Ashdown, E. H. S. Davies, F. D. Cowett, and Y. Yang Environment, Design, and Obesity: Opportunities for Interdisciplinary Collaborative Research Environment and Behavior, January 1, 2007; 39(1): 6 - 33. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. Sobal and B. Wansink Kitchenscapes, Tablescapes, Platescapes, and Foodscapes: Influences of Microscale Built Environments on Food Intake Environment and Behavior, January 1, 2007; 39(1): 124 - 142. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. E. Kelly and B. J. Patterson Childhood Nutrition: Perceptions of Caretakers in a Low-Income Urban Setting The Journal of School Nursing, December 1, 2006; 22(6): 345 - 351. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. K Kant and B. I Graubard Secular trends in patterns of self-reported food consumption of adult Americans: NHANES 1971-1975 to NHANES 1999-2002. Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, November 1, 2006; 84(5): 1215 - 1223. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Doyle, L. H. Kushi, T. Byers, K. S. Courneya, W. Demark-Wahnefried, B. Grant, A. McTiernan, C. L. Rock, C. Thompson, T. Gansler, et al. Nutrition and Physical Activity During and After Cancer Treatment: An American Cancer Society Guide for Informed Choices CA Cancer J Clin, November 1, 2006; 56(6): 323 - 353. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. C Mirch, J. R McDuffie, S. Z Yanovski, M. Schollnberger, M. Tanofsky-Kraff, K. R Theim, J. Krakoff, and J. A Yanovski Effects of binge eating on satiation, satiety, and energy intake of overweight children. Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, October 1, 2006; 84(4): 732 - 738. [Abstract] [Full Text] [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]

				L. H. Kushi, T. Byers, C. Doyle, E. V. Bandera, M. McCullough, T. Gansler, K. S. Andrews, M. J. Thun, and The American Cancer Society 2006 Nutrition and Phy American Cancer Society Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention: Reducing the Risk of Cancer With Healthy Food Choices and Physical Activity CA Cancer J Clin, September 1, 2006; 56(5): 254 - 281. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. N. Acharya, P. M. Patterson, E. P. Hill, T. G. Schmitz, and E. Bohm An Evaluation of the "TrEAT Yourself Well" Restaurant Nutrition Campaign Health Educ Behav, June 1, 2006; 33(3): 309 - 324. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. N. Close and D. A. Schoeller The Financial Reality of Overeating J. Am. Coll. Nutr., June 1, 2006; 25(3): 203 - 209. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. R. Isasi, N. Soroudi, and J. Wylie-Rosett Youth WAVE Screener: Addressing Weight-Related Behaviors With School-Age Children. The Diabetes Educator, May 1, 2006; 32(3): 415 - 422. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. X. Ayala An experimental evaluation of a group- versus computer-based intervention to improve food portion size estimation skills Health Educ. Res., February 1, 2006; 21(1): 133 - 145. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. P. Kengne, A. G.B. Amoah, and J.-C. Mbanya Cardiovascular Complications of Diabetes Mellitus in Sub-Saharan Africa Circulation, December 6, 2005; 112(23): 3592 - 3601. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. R.S. Stender, G. A. Burghen, and J. T. Mallare The Role of Health Care Providers in the Prevention of Overweight and Type 2 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents Diabetes Spectr, October 1, 2005; 18(4): 240 - 248. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. B. Austin, S. J. Melly, B. N. Sanchez, A. Patel, S. Buka, and S. L. Gortmaker Clustering of Fast-Food Restaurants Around Schools: A Novel Application of Spatial Statistics to the Study of Food Environments Am J Public Health, September 1, 2005; 95(9): 1575 - 1581. [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 N. Darmon The economics of obesity: dietary energy density and energy cost Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2005; 82(1): 265S - 273S. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Demory-Luce Fast Food and Children and Adolescents: Implications for Practitioners Clinical Pediatrics, May 1, 2005; 44(4): 279 - 288. [PDF]

				H. Patrick and T. A. Nicklas A Review of Family and Social Determinants of Children's Eating Patterns and Diet Quality J. Am. Coll. Nutr., April 1, 2005; 24(2): 83 - 92. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Drewnowski and N. Darmon Food Choices and Diet Costs: an Economic Analysis J. Nutr., April 1, 2005; 135(4): 900 - 904. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. H. Ledikwe, J. A. Ello-Martin, and B. J. Rolls Portion Sizes and the Obesity Epidemic J. Nutr., April 1, 2005; 135(4): 905 - 909. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. B. Breen Lipid Oxidation and Nitrogen Balance in Critically Ill Obese Patients Nutr Clin Pract, February 1, 2005; 20(1): 98 - 102. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. L. Loureiro and R. M. Nayga Jr. International Dimensions of Obesity and Overweight Related Problems: An Economics Perspective Am. J. Agr. Econ., January 1, 2005; 87(5): 1147 - 1153. [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Almind and C. R. Kahn Genetic Determinants of Energy Expenditure and Insulin Resistance in Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice Diabetes, December 1, 2004; 53(12): 3274 - 3285. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. T. St. Jeor, L. L. Hayman, S. R. Daniels, M. W. Gillman, G. Howard, C. M. Law, C. E. Lewis, and E. Poehlman Prevention Conference VII: Obesity, a Worldwide Epidemic Related to Heart Disease and Stroke: Group II: Age-Dependent Risk Factors for Obesity and Comorbidities Circulation, November 2, 2004; 110(18): e471 - e475. [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. A. Levitsky and T. Youn The More Food Young Adults Are Served, the More They Overeat J. Nutr., October 1, 2004; 134(10): 2546 - 2549. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. L. Pelletier, W. W. Chang, J. E. Delzell Jr., and J. W. McCall Patients' Understanding and Use of Snack Food Package Nutrition Labels J Am Board Fam Med, September 1, 2004; 17(5): 319 - 323. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P G Kopelman and C Grace New thoughts on managing obesity Gut, July 1, 2004; 53(7): 1044 - 1053. [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. K. Christensen, P. Williams, and R. Pfister Cost Savings and Clinical Effectiveness of an Extension Service Diabetes Program Diabetes Spectr, July 1, 2004; 17(3): 171 - 175. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. V. Kral, L. S Roe, and B. J Rolls Combined effects of energy density and portion size on energy intake in women Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, June 1, 2004; 79(6): 962 - 968. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. A Bray, S. J. Nielsen, and B. M Popkin Consumption of high-fructose corn syrup in beverages may play a role in the epidemic of obesity Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, April 1, 2004; 79(4): 537 - 543. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Drewnowski and S. Specter Poverty and obesity: the role of energy density and energy costs Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, January 1, 2004; 79(1): 6 - 16. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. A. Bowman, S. L. Gortmaker, C. B. Ebbeling, M. A. Pereira, and D. S. Ludwig Effects of Fast-Food Consumption on Energy Intake and Diet Quality Among Children in a National Household Survey Pediatrics, January 1, 2004; 113(1): 112 - 118. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Kazaks and J. S. Stern Obesity Treatments and Controversies Diabetes Spectr, October 1, 2003; 16(4): 231 - 235. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Cuttler, J. L. Whittaker, and E. D. Kodish Pediatric Obesity Policy: The Danger of Skepticism Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, August 1, 2003; 157(8): 722 - 724. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. S. Sothern and S. T. Gordon Prevention of Obesity in Young Children: A Critical Challenge for Medical Professionals Clinical Pediatrics, March 1, 2003; 42(2): 101 - 111. [PDF]

				S. A. French Pricing Effects on Food Choices J. Nutr., March 1, 2003; 133(3): 841S - 843. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. J. Nielsen and B. M. Popkin Patterns and Trends in Food Portion Sizes, 1977-1998 JAMA, January 22, 2003; 289(4): 450 - 453. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. J Rolls, E. L Morris, and L. S Roe Portion size of food affects energy intake in normal-weight and overweight men and women Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, December 1, 2002; 76(6): 1207 - 1213. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. D. Mattes Ready-to-eat Cereal Used as a Meal Replacement Promotes Weight Loss in Humans J. Am. Coll. Nutr., December 1, 2002; 21(6): 570 - 577. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. McCrory, V. M.M. Suen, and S. B. Roberts Biobehavioral Influences on Energy Intake and Adult Weight Gain J. Nutr., December 1, 2002; 132(12): 3830S - 3834. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. A. Chamberlin, S. N. Sherman, A. Jain, S. W. Powers, and R. C. Whitaker The Challenge of Preventing and Treating Obesity in Low-Income, Preschool Children: Perceptions of WIC Health Care Professionals Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, July 1, 2002; 156(7): 662 - 668. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

eLetters: