Patterns and Trends in Food Portion Sizes, 1977-1998

Abstract

Although general consensus holds that food portions have been increasing and that this increase is one factor contributing to the obesity epidemic in the United States, no empirical data to date have documented actual increases.¹ One recent study showed that most commonly available food portions exceeded the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standard portion sizes and that most foods are available in larger portion sizes than they were in the 1970s.² Another small study reported portion size increases for meat portions but not for other foods, whereas 2 studies have linked portion size increases to increased total energy intake.^3-5 The portion size changes are part of the "supersizing" phenomenon seen at fast food establishments and at restaurants.⁶