Small, medium, large or supersize? The development and evaluation of interventions targeted at portion size

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Increasing portion sizes of high-caloric foods and drinks contribute to the obesogenic environment.
• Growing obesity rates necessitate evaluation of environmental interventions targeting food consumption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of environmental interventions aimed at modifying portion sizes.
• To inform strategies for mitigating the impact of large portion sizes on public health.

Main Methods:

• Conducted studies on portion size labeling, variety of portion sizes, and proportional pricing.
• Evaluated consumer and point-of-purchase representative perceptions of intervention feasibility.
• Assessed the effectiveness of interventions on soft drink consumption and hot meal choices in worksite cafeterias.

Main Results:

• Portion size labeling, varied portion options, and proportional pricing were deemed feasible by consumers and retailers.
• Portion size labeling had a modest impact on soft drink consumption.
• Offering smaller hot meal portions in cafeterias led to a moderate shift from large to small meal selections.

Conclusions:

• Environmental interventions targeting portion sizes are feasible but require refinement for greater impact.
• Further research into communication, marketing, and regulatory strategies is crucial.
• Development of educational programs and nudges can empower individuals to navigate a 'super-sized' food environment.