New Study Tests Portion-Controlled Entrees
A Nutrisystem Article
Reprinted with permission

A new study just published in the March 2004 issue of Obesity Research compared two groups of women trying to lose weight. One group consumed a recommended number of servings from the federal Food Guide Pyramid each day, while a second group consumed a similar diet, but utilized two pre-packaged entrees daily. The results?

According to data published in the findings report entitled, Use of Portion-Controlled Entrees Enhances Weight Loss In Women, 

"Consumption of portion-controlled entrees resulted in greater losses of weight and fat, thereby reducing cardiovascular disease risk. Accurate portion control is an important factor in weight loss success, and use of packaged entrees is an effective method of achieving this."

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois and supported by a grant from Masterfoods USA, set out to determine the efficacy of a weight-loss diet using packaged, portion-controlled entrees compared with a self-selected diet based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Guide Pyramid (FGP). For an 8-week study period, 53 women were recruited and randomized into two groups. Each was instructed to consume her group's respective diet plan (see sidebar on right), and both groups were given clear, straightforward instructions but no individual behavioral and diet counseling. All subjects came in once per week for a meeting with the research dietitians and to be measured.

In the end, both groups achieved significant weight losses over the 8 weeks of the study, but the group which utilized the portion-controlled entrees lost 6.5% of their initial weight—more than a third more than the group that didn't utilize prepackaged meals.

Researchers concluded that, 

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture FGP does offer reasonable guidelines on how much to consume from each of the various food groups. Choosing the lowest number of servings from each group provides a workable weight loss diet plan. However, a concerted effort is required to choose, prepare, measure and consume foods in the recommended portion sizes."

The scientists went on to say that, 

"Although both groups in this study attempted to follow a 1365-calorie diet plan based on serving sizes used in the FGP, those using packaged, portion-controlled entrees were more successful in achieving significant reductions in weight and body fat. For many people who want to lose weight, portion control may prove to be a key factor."

These findings, regarding the role of prepackaged foods and the importance of portion control, are not surprising. Study outcomes similar to these are becoming more and more prevalent as researchers tackle America's snowballing obesity epidemic, and one of its main culprits, the over consumption of food. 

As published last year in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), a study done by researchers at the University of North Carolina regarding average consumption since the 1970s, proved that portion sizes are indeed on the rise. Experts analyzed the food intake of more than 63,000 Americans during ongoing National Food Consumption Surveys and compared the average portion sizes of snacks, desserts, soft drinks, fast food, pizza and restaurant food. 

Their findings? Throughout the past 20 years, portions have grown significantly in all environments. Between 1970 and 1996, here's how some average portion sizes grew: 

Salty snacks (chips, pretzels) --- Up 60%
Soft drinks --- Up 52%
Hamburgers --- Up 23%
French fries --- Up 16%

Additionally, among those 39-and-younger, pizza and salty snack food consumption had increased by more than 140%!

These ongoing studies may help to shed more light on the snowballing obesity epidemic overtaking our nation. As Jeff Prince, Vice President of the American Institute for Cancer Research said in a press conference coinciding with the Institute's International Research Conference on Food, Nutrition and Cancer last July, 

"In a country where 64% of us are overweight or obese, there is an alarming tendency to overlook the sheer amount of food we're eating. We have to regain our sense of appropriate portion size, so we can better gauge our intake."

With NutriSystem, you get Perfect Portions™ every time! 

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