Portion Distortion: A Growing Problem in Australia

“63% of Australian adults were overweight or obese in 2011–12, 70% of men and 56% of women. This has increased from 57% in 1995.

Being overweight or obese are risk factors for many chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and … cancers.”

This dramatic quote from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare states the appalling: we are getting fatter and fatter every day. One of the foremost reasons for this is the giant increase in portion sizes, or “portion distortion”. This trend must be reversed!

Firstly, I will explain that portion distortion exists and why it’s a problem. Secondly, I will describe the countless benefits of stopping this problem, and finally I will convince you that we can stop portion distortion to the benefit of all Australians.

The problem of portion distortion is widespread in scale and distribution.

Bearing in mind, the average kilojoule intake

is 8700 kilojoules, the distortion in size of just one meal can have significant consequences to total energy intake. For instance, 20 years ago, a standard spaghetti and meatballs dish was 2 000 kilojoules. Today this value has inflated to a massive 4 288 kilojoules – more than double the previous meal, and half the total daily average intake. You would have to houseclean for 2 hours and 35 minutes to burn off the extra 2 228 kilojoules.
Similarly, back at that time, a bag of hot chips was 830 kilojoules. However, today it equates to 2 552 kilojoules. That is over 3 times as many kilojoules. You’d need to walk for 1 hour and 10 minutes just to burn off the extra 1 673 kilojoules.
A Large Big Mac Meal contains an enormous 6025 kilojoules. This is far more than the recommended dinner for anyone. This value is even larger than the DAILY kilojoule intake for almost all sedentary people. I could give you many more examples.
Leading on from that, according to a 2001 Cornell University study, “Moviegoers who had rated the popcorn as tasting relatively unfavourable ate 61% more popcorn if randomly given a large container than a smaller one. Moviegoers who had rated the popcorn as relatively favourable ate 49% more when the container size was increased.” So give somebody an oversized serving and they are likely to eat much more. Crazily this effect is even greater if the person doesn’t like the food!
Now, to the direct health risks to the individual. The most obvious risk associated with over-eating is weight gain, however weight gain can lead to obesity which can lead on to a host of problems, including (according to diet.lovetoknow.com):
• “High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Osteoarthritis
• [rheumatoid and other types of inflammatory arthritis]
• High triglyceride levels
• Type 2 diabetes
• Sleep apnoea
• Respiratory problems
• Coronary heart disease
• Gallbladder disease
• Strokes
• Increased risk of endometrial, breast and colon cancer
[However,] the biggest health problems for people who overeat include diabetes, heart disease and strokes.”
Obviously, the effects of portion distortion are real and are affecting our community. However, how will stopping it contribute to the lives of those who are not overweight or obese?

There are numerous benefits to stopping this adverse tendency. Obviously, it will reduce death rates and morbidity. According to thejournal.io: “For the first time in human history pathogens are no longer the biggest killers … Non-communicable ill-health [from poor diet and lack of exercise] now accounts for some two-thirds of deaths worldwide.” These people die and may be so sick that they cannot work to provide for their families and in some situations are a burden to their families.
Additionally, the scores of patients of diabetes, heart disease and the other aforementioned health risks are flocking into our hospitals, blocking them up and making waiting times longer even though these matters could be avoided. If we could reduce the level of obesity in the community, healthcare would be more affordable, therefore also allowing the government to spend our tax on where it is otherwise needed.
Let’s not forget employers.

‘Every sick day costs businesses an average of $385 and one in 40 people have one [sick day] daily in Australia’ states the Sydney Morning Herald in 2012. Being healthy improves productivity in the workforce, as employees are more efficient and have fewer days lost due to illness.

This all combines to an improved experience for the whole of Australia, not just those affected directly by obesity related in part to portion distortion.

We can reverse portion distortion by educating the community.

Firstly, people need to know that portion size has changed and continues to grow.

Secondly, many people who are overweight do not see themselves as such, though some do. Educating people about healthy weight ranges and abdominal circumference is done by doctors but we could do more. An advertising campaign, such as those against smoking, are likely to be effective.

Finally, it is hard to exercise off those extra kilojoules and people need to be made aware that improving energy balance is much easier by reducing intake than increasing

expenditure.

Some may say that it’s the people’s choice how much food they eat, and I totally agree with them. I proposed ads and other forms of education over government legislation for that very reason. If we were all educated about portion sizes, it’s more likely that they will make healthier choices that will affect all of us.

In conclusion, portion distortion stands as one of the major reasons for the massive amount of overweight Australians and it we have to stop it. Firstly, there are several reasons why it affects us so horribly, secondly, it affects all of us, and finally, portion distortion can be stopped. I will finish with a quote from Hippocrates: “Healing is a matter of time, but it is sometimes also a matter of opportunity.”
This is our opportunity to make many healthy.
Thank you.