Smaller food portion sizes could help tackle obesity: study

Reducing the size of large food portions, packaging and tableware could help tackle obesity, a new Cambridge study has claimed.
Researchers have found the 'most conclusive evidence to date' that people consume more food or drinks from larger size portions or packages, and when using larger items of tableware.
The study at the University of Cambridge in UK found that eliminating larger portions completely could reduce daily energy intake consumed by 12 per cent to 16 per cent among adults in the UK, and by 22 per cent to 29 per cent among adults in US.
Researchers suggested steps like reducing food and drink serving sizes that contain high amounts of calories such as the standard single serving of confectionery, chips and cakes, and reducing availability of larger portion and package sizes.

They said that portion sizes should be limited at check outs, aisle ends and special displays. They also called for highlighting single portion sizes in packaging.
According to the researchers, implementation of portion size interventions will be easier in public sector organisations, such as schools, hospitals, military bases, and prisons, than in industries.

They said that reducing portion sizes may mean going back to sizes of portion and tableware similar to those in the 1950s, and changes may even involve reductions of over 50 per cent for some energy dense products.
This is far greater than the estimated 5 per cent reductions currently offered and negotiated with the food industry.

"We usually see patients of cancer and obesity more
frequently these days. As against cancer patients, cachexic (losing weight syndrone) patients are very weak. Reflux disease should be vigorously treated and also obese people should be treated aggressively because this increases the incidence of oesophagus cancer," Shah added.
Medical experts feel that limiting alcoholic drinks, eating more fruits and vegetables, beans and other plant foods along with enhancing physical activity like walking breaks can help a person reduce the cancer risk in today's environment.
"It is best to take preventive action rather than treatment of such serious ailments and there is no better alternative than maintaining a healthy lifestyle, proper choice of food and remaining physically fit in order to stay away from deadliest cancers," he said.

The AICR research report also found strong evidence that consuming alcohol increases the risk of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma - 25 per cent increased risk per 10 grams of alcohol per day. This is equivalent to about a glass of beer or wine, the study said.
The report collated and reviewed the 46 scientific studies available on oesophageal cancer, diet, physical activity and weight in the first such review since 2007.
The research covered 15 million adults of whom 31,000 were diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.