Tableware Size & Obesity

By Will Meek, Ph.D.
July 27, 2006

The number of factors implicated in the growing obestity problem in the United States seems to have no limit. Air conditioning and lack of sleep are the newest buzz areas of concern, and a recent study just found that using larger tableware (bowls, plates, etc) can increase the portion size people serve themselves. This could then lead to the person eating more, taking in more calories than he/she uses. The obvious large items in the obesity equation are food consumption (amount and type) and lack of exercise, but cultural and environmental factors are also being explored such as the access to unhealthy food and culture of overeating.

Overall, I think the more factors that are identified the better, since it gives individuals, communities, and governments more angles to help solve the problem. However, I also think that some individuals may begin to lose hope with a new factor coming out every other week. They may start to get overwhelmed with feeling like they need to “change everything” in order to succeed. Creating an individual wight-loss plan should primarily go at the large factors and have other minor lifestyle adjustments based on these additional findings. Psychologically, maintaining individual short and long term goals, optimism, and momentum are some other keys to success.