KEYWORDS: portion control diet aids prepackaged diets Nutrisystem weight loss
Are They Effective For Weight Loss?
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."
| 8-WEEK STUDY RESULTS* |
Group A:
SELF-SELECTED Foods
Daily:
2 servings meat/alternatives
2 servings nonfat dairy
2 servings fruit
3 servings vegetables
6 servings grains
8 cups water
Lost 4.2% of initial weight |
Group B:
PORTION-CONTROLLED Foods
Daily:
2 pre-packaged entrees
2 cups nonfat milk or yogurt
2 servings fruit
2 cups salad vegetables
3 servings grains
8 cups water
Lost 6.5% of initial weight (1/3 more)
Plus:
Greater loss of body fat mass
Greater decrease in total
cholesterol
Greater decrease in waist
circumference
Greater reduction in hip
circumference
|
| Conclusion: Consumption of a diet using portion-controlled entrees enhances weight loss success. |
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."
Did You Know?
Since 1980, the total daily caloric intake of Americans has risen by 148 calories per day.
That equals, roughly, AN EXTRA 15 POUNDS A YEAR per individual! |
| – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) |
|
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.
"When I came home at 6:00 at night, I didn't have to think about what I was going to eat or how much I was going to eat. It was all right there for me. I could just pull it off the shelf. It was a balanced meal. It was portion-controlled and it was something that I could prepare just in minutes."
– Carole, NutriSystem Success Story |
| At NutriSystem, they know how important portion size is. That's why they built their entire program around it! |
|
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!
Order today! 
* Source: "Use of Portion-Controlled Entrees Enhances Weight loss in Women," Obesity Research, No. 3 , Vol. 12, March 2004.
