THE FAST WAY TO GET FAT

People who rush their food are far more likely to overeat in the long-term than those who take their time.

In a study of more than 3,000 men and women aged between 30 and 69, half of the men and just over half the women said they ate until they were full.

Also, 45 per cent of men and 36 per cent of women admitted they ate too fast.

Those in the Australian study who admitted to both eating quickly and until they were full were far more likely to have a high body mass index than those who exercised more self-control.

Experts believe that when eating quickly and until you are full combine, it greatly increases the risk of weight problems rather than doing just one or the other.

In an editorial in the British Medical Journal online, Elizabeth Denney-Wilson, from New South Wales university in Australia, said changing eating patterns are to blame for rising obesity levels.

Fewer families are eating together, more are eating while watching TV and more are eating fast food while on the go, she said.

“Furthermore, the increased availability of relatively inexpensive food, which is more energy dense and served in substantially larger portions, may promote eating beyond satiety,” wrote Dr Denney-Wilson.

She said parents must give children appropriate portion sizes and teach them to eat slowly in an attempt to stop future generations becoming overweight.