The Burden of Obesity in The Burden of Obesity in North CarolinaNorth Carolina

Portion SizesPortion Sizes

What is a “Portion”?What is a “Portion”?

A “portion" is the amount of food or A “portion" is the amount of food or beverage a person chooses to eat or beverage a person chooses to eat or drink. drink.

A “serving” is a standard amount A “serving” is a standard amount established by the U.S. Food and Drug established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Administration.

Larger Food PortionsLarger Food Portions

McDonald’s French Fries:McDonald’s French Fries:

1950s size: 1950s size: 2.4 ounces = 210 calories 2.4 ounces = 210 calories

2006 size: 2006 size: 7 ounces = 610 calories7 ounces = 610 calories

Larger DrinksLarger Drinks

Bottle of Coke:Bottle of Coke:

1916 size: 1916 size: 6 fluid ounces6 fluid ounces

1970s size: 1970s size: 13.6 fluid ounces13.6 fluid ounces

1996 size: 1996 size: 21 fluid ounces21 fluid ounces

Food and Beverage Portion Sizes Food and Beverage Portion Sizes Continue to IncreaseContinue to Increase

For 50¢ or less, a For 50¢ or less, a person can add up person can add up to 400 calories in a to 400 calories in a fast-food mealfast-food meal

Potato Chips & Portion SizePotato Chips & Portion Size One study gave people a bag of One study gave people a bag of

potato chips for a snack and a potato chips for a snack and a subsequent meal each day for subsequent meal each day for several days. several days.

The package size of the potato The package size of the potato chips varied each day.chips varied each day.

People ate more chips when the People ate more chips when the package size was larger. package size was larger.

When they ate more chips as a When they ate more chips as a snack, they did not eat less at snack, they did not eat less at mealtime.mealtime.