The researchers recruited 1,122 men and 2,165 women, aged 30-69, between 2003 and 2006 to examine whether eating until full and speed of eating were associated with being overweight.
Half of the men and 58 per cent of the women said that they ate until full, while 46 per cent of men and 36 per cent of women reported eating quickly.
Overall, the researchers found that those who said that they ate until full and ate quickly had a higher BMI and total energy intake and were three times more likely to be overweight than those who did not eat quickly or until full.
An accompanying editorial calls for doctors to work with patients to encourage healthy eating habits in their children like eating slowly and serving appropriate portion sizes.
sanjay.tanday@haymarket.com
BMJ Online 2008
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Fast eaters 'three times more likely to be overweight'
Eating fast and until full trebles the risk of being overweight, a Japanese study has found.
