Food Portion Size: Then vs. Now, Research Paper Example

The topic of food portion size is one with many dynamics and implications. Within the United States, obesity is on the rise – and has been for the past several decades. As the present analysis will approach and examine, the two trends are certainly noteworthy. The rise in food portion sizes, in quantity, is echoed by the rise of obesity in the United States. While unequivocal connections and assertions should not be made with too much haste, there is an almost “common sense” connection that can be seen from these two trends.

The Rise in Portion Sizes

As Monte notes (n.d.), portion size certainly isn’t the sole contributor of individuals being overweight or obese. However, it certainly plays a strong role both in the daily diet of an American, as well as in one’s psychological state of frame. If one grows up accustomed to large portion sizes, it is easy to see how such a dynamic can become “normal.”

The rise in portion sizes can be seen from a stark set of comparisons from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), which is covered by Monte (n.d.). A staple of American fast food such as the cheeseburger is one noticeable target of the comparison, where cheeseburgers 20 years ago averaged at 333 calories, with today’s weighing in at 590 calories. As Monte notes, the Big Mac is “on the smaller side of many burger options. At Burger King, you can get the Triple Whopper… the Colossal Burger… the Western Bacon Six Dollar Burger” (n.d.). Certainly all of these options add up to hefty choices at the counter of fast food franchises around the United States.

The comparison continues onward for a number of other items. Comparing the following food choices from 20 years ago to today, the difference is remarkable: bagels from a 3-inch diameter, 140 calories to 5-6-inch diameter, 350 calories; and two slices of pizza from 500 calories to 850 calories (n.d.). Of course, an analysis of changes in food portion sizes would not be complete without drinks. Monte (n.d.) quotes a 2004 study in appetite that looked at the increase in consumption with that of product size, noting that many stores now only carry the 20-ounce bottle of soda, which averages 242 calories at 2.5 servings. And, as a final item in the standard array of food and drinks, it is not uncommon to see the 8-ounce 45-calorie cup of coffe from 20 years ago be replaced by a 16-oune 330-calorie coffe cup. It indeed has “as many calories as a full meal” (Monte, n.d.).

While the preceding items characterize many usual areas of food and drink, there are other items that are worthy of attention. Consider the average plate size, which increased from 10 to 12 inches in the early 1990s, according to Monte (n.d.). Another area is also pointed out in that of value pricing, where ten cents is all that separates a 32-ounce drink from a 44-ounce drink (n.d.). These facts and trends certainly pose some interesting items to consider.

One of the most obvious problems is that food is growing exponentially larger, as well as the citizens that consume it, as the current analysis will touch upon later. In some cases, the NHLBI’s findings found double the amount of calories in certain foods. Keep in mind that they were not addressing nutritional facts like fat content, which could potentially be even more eye-opening. For some of these items, most notably that of coffee, these unhealthy products are a mainstay of one’s daily routine. Unfortunately, holding onto these practices can severely undermine one’s health, even with a rudimentary look at calories and data.

However, that is not all. In the second part of the current analysis, it is clear that the food isn’t merely becoming larger. Cups and bottles of soda are becoming larger and priced to appeal to consumers’ wallets, and not their health. Even the previous sentence isn’t quite accurate, as the veil of saving money can lead consumers to eat or drink more than they would, or should, with such items not within grasp. Thus, it is quite clear: the problem extends to marketing efforts, not simple nutritional considerations.

Another important study confirmed what Monte (n.d.) has reported and added with various sources. According to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2003), researchers affirmed the increase of quantity in food items: “The quantity of salty snacks increased by 93 calories or 0.6 ounces, soft drinks by 49 calories or 6.8 ounces, hamburgers by 97 calories or 1.3 ounces, French fries by 68 calories or 0.5 ounces and Mexican food by 133 calories, or 1.7 ounces” (2003). Researchers also noted stark increases in snacking, such as the remarkable 143-percent increase in pizza and salty snack consumption among people under the age of 39 (2003). Not only are food sizes increasing, but the tendencies of individuals with regard to the types of food are also unhealthy.

The large portion sizes thus draw a measure of concern. As Monte (n.d.) paraphrases from the NHLBI, “a serving of meat should be the size of a deck of cards while one pancake should be the size of a CD.” This is noticeably not the case, as can be easily distinguished between what is recommended at what is found at restaurants and other stores.

The Rise of Obesity

The obesity of individuals in the United States could be considered common knowledge. With the highest rate of obesity in the world, the United States has to contend with the growing problem that is becoming universal. The statistics certainly shed light on the situation that isn’t getting any better.

The most recent estimates confirm the rise of obesity in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 35.7% of adults in the United States, as well as children and adolescents aged 2-19 years, are obese (2010). These most-recent official estimates are the highest in recent years, with numbers at 19.4% in 1997, 24.5% in 2004, and 26.6% in 2007. In 2008, the number jumped to 33.8% of adults, now over one-third of the overall population of U.S. adults. Of course, that number is even higher with reference to the 35.7% of adults that are overweight.

It’s also interesting to look at the individual states and the rise of obesity. Consider this powerful statement from the CDC: “In 2010, no state had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%” (2010). However, in 1991, according to the CDC’s map of states (three states without data for that year), not a single state had an obesity rate of over 20 percent. In fact, only four states fell into what was the highest category, the 15%-19% rate area (2010). In 1997, three states entered the dubious 20%-24% rate distinction – and in 1999, 18 states were at that mark. As of 2010, there are more states at the 25%-29% mark than the 20%-24% mark – with 12 states at the highest mark of over 30% (2010).

The incredibly fast pace of obesity rates from these statistics is noteworthy from many angles. Increasing at an enormous rate, obesity has become one of the most common conditions around. It may be fair to say that it is quite common. Unfortunately, and with reference only to the statistics from the CDC, the normalcy of obesity is a certainly manifest.

Discussion

It is first important to address the statistics themselves. These are certainly not statistics that can be ignored. Whether one deals with obesity or being overweight, unhealthy portions and habits are almost universal. Those who succeed in combating these unhealthy items must pay attention to the trends that are occurring. Thus, the significance of the statistics is difficult to overemphasize. In making oneself aware of the situation that is occurring across the United States, from restaurants and products to society as a whole, these statistics speak to the unfortunate reality.

One of the most important things to do is to become familiar with the topics that surround growing portions and the rise of obesity. Having an increased knowledge can lead to not only a better understanding, but the correct basis upon which one can make positive decisions. It is not enough to know about the increase of food sizes and the rise of obesity; one must be able to navigate these difficult waters in order to lead a healthy lifestyle. It is all too easy to allow unhealthy dietary choices become a foundation.

In this familiarity, education is vital. With the variance of food and drink items from fast food and traditional restaurants to groceries, it is difficult to imagine positive choices being made without becoming educated in these areas. The consumer must be aware of what he or she is eating and drinking, and how it is part of a healthy diet. Of course, other items such as exercise and alternative connecting points (i.e. sleep, stress, etc.) must be considered as they can all be part of a healthy lifestyle.

It is interesting to see how sociological dynamics can come into play. For instance, the previous dynamic of education is taken a step further, in the development of the child. In viewing the increase of food and drink portion sizes, parents must play a strong role in addressing the diet of a child. It is common knowledge, and the focus of many studies, that battling the obesity epidemic at this level is an important step. As a result, parents must make concerted efforts to teach their children positive eating habits, in order to instill these important aspects of their development. Of course, it is no different that exercise and other related topics for children of all ages.

This also has precedents on legal levels. Many school systems and communities have battled the presence of soda machines at schools. Nutritional programs have come under the scrutiny of many parents and lawmakers to promote healthy diets. This is one area where there is intense debate, and, as a result, could lead to positive changes. Of course, such advances outside of those walls are unlikely to occur (fast food restaurants, etc.).

Conclusion

The statistics are incredibly clear. They reveal that portion sizes are increasing when compared to those of 20 years ago. Not only is this in reference to foods, but drinks, plates, cups, and seemingly, anything imaginable in this discussion as well. And while it is not the sole factor, it would be counterintuitive to suggest that it is not a major factor in the rise of obesity within the United States.

The problem is not mere size of food, though. It is reasonable to suggest that marketing objectives are part of the blame. Restaurants and stores are competing with each other, and it is only natural for the consumer to want the best value. The low price of cheap food, a larger drink for minimal extra cost, and value meals that give lots of food at a low price – along with many others – is all part of the problem.

While legal involvement at the school level is a topic for discussion, one idea that resounds is in individual responsibility. One must take the time to address all of these unhealthy choices that are all too easy to make. From one’s own healthy to the dietary foundation of a child, education, planning, and thought are required to take the necessary steps. With these, a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are within grasp. Concurrently, though, food portion sizes may continue to rise. If the right steps aren’t taken, the rise of obesity in the U.S. will follow suit.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2010). U.S. Obesity Trends. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html

Monte, Liz (n.d.). Portion Size, Then vs. Now. Retrieved from http://www.divinecaroline.com/22177/49492-portion-size-vs-now

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2003). UNC Study Confirms That Food Portion Sizes Increased in U.S. Over Two Decades. ScienceDaily. Retrieved from: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/01/030122072329.htm