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Sunday, April 11, 2010

PLATE SIZE AND "EVOLUTION"-GROWING IN "SIZE"!


Here is an historical perspective about the growing portion size of meals humans have been consuming for centuries and its impact on health.

"69.2: The percentage increase in the size of the main course in 52 paintings of the Last Supper over the last millennium, a study in the International Journal of Obesity found. The study, by the brothers Brian Wansink of Cornell University and Craig Wansink of Virginia Wesleyan College, also found that plate size increased by 66 percent and bread size by 23 percent. Brian Wansink says the findings suggest that the phenomenon of serving bigger portions on bigger plates — which pushes people to overeat — has occurred gradually over the millennium as food has become more abundant and affordable".

It is surprising to notice such gradual changes in quantity of food consumed, considering that human nutritional needs and volume of Gastrointestinal system remained same with out much change. To day's foods are calorie and fat rich compared to old days and therefore it is a paradox that more food of this type is consumed to get same satiety. Reducing plate size may not be a solution to the over eating problem though many advocates are supporting "down sizing" of "serving portion" in food labels as a possible strategy to reduce food consumption.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

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