The increasing size of food portions has been seen as a main contributing factor to the obesity epidemic in the United States. Food that is being consumed outside of homes at fast-food chains and in-out restaurants provides approximately half of the U.S. food budget (1). In 1970 food being consumed outside of homes was recorded, and statistics showed that out of home food consumption rates were at 34 % and 20 years later in 1990 this number increased to 47 % of food budget (1). Bigger portion sizes are seen as a contributing weight gaining factor and now that portion sizes being served at fast food chains are on average two to five times larger than the original size people are prone to eat more (2). Eating and caloric intake go hand in hand, …show more content…
A main contributing factor to weight gain is the substantial amount of excess energy that people are storing without proper physical activities to counteract excess intake (1). As the weight gain epidemic continues to show no signs of slowing down in America, more and more people are being latched with a variety of weight related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, and several cancers (2). Low activity levels amongst U.S. citizens have started to show a common trend that defends the idea that excess energy intake is the top reason behind increasing weight gain (1). Weight related health conditions amongst people in the U.S. Surveys show that there has been an increase in caloric intake by 700 calories a day from the late 1970s until present day for people who do not follow dietary rules (1), and 200 calories a day for people who do follow a dietary guideline (2). Thus, making it difficult for people who follow dietary advice because they have to regulate their diets further with changing portions (1). The purpose of this review is to connect the relationship between growing portion sizes and obesity in the United States. This data provides confirmation that Americans do consume more food than they did about 30 to 40 years ago