2/17/04

Americans Eating More

Americans are eating more than ever before and women in particular are consuming more calories each day.

Americans, especially women, are getting fatter because they eat much more than they did 30 years ago. The study released by the Centers for Disease Control and reported by the Associated Press, says carbohydrates make up most of the extra calories consumed. Amy Olson, registered dietitian at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, explains the increased consumption.

SOUND BITE: ". . . the study says 335 calories more per day for a woman and 168 calories more per day for a man. That's not a lot of calories extra when you look at a day's time, but over a year, it can add up quite a bit. 330 calories a day more can result in between a half to ¾ pounds of weight gain per week if you don't offset that with exercise."

Olson says 330 calories is the equivalent of a very small piece of pie, a large cookie, a 20- ounce soda or one slice of pizza. She says one reason people are eating more is because restaurants have increased their serving size over the years. Forty or fifty years ago, the standard size beverage was 8 oz. Today fast food restaurants sell a super-size 32-ounce soda, which is four times the size of the earlier standard. She says carbohydrates may be where people should focus if they want to lose weight.

SOUND BITE: ". . . the message of decreasing the fat has been adopted by a lot of people. They are eating less fat, however, as they eat less fat, they tend to add more refined carbohydrates such as soda pop, or juice or cookie or a low-fat cake, or a low-fat chip. These foods still have calories in them and they're the type of foods that it's really easy to eat a large portion."

Olson says to maintain or lose weight people need to watch the portion size and the types of food they are eating as well as increase the amount of exercise. Check with your family physician for help on starting a diet or exercise program.