|
WASHINGTON - Slight changes in eating habits, such as eating an extra serving of potato chips or fries each day, can add plenty to a person's weight over the years, US researchers said on Wednesday.
Three studies that spanned 20 years and more than 120,000 people showed that the notion of eating less and exercising more for good health may be too simplistic.
Food that can make you gain or lose weight
Click on thumbnail to view. Story continues after photos.
(Photos: ST, TNP, Reuters, AFP) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
However, overall food choice - picking fruits and whole grains instead of starches and meats - appears to have the strongest link to how much a person gains, or doesn't, in the long term, said the research led by the Harvard School of Public Health.
The average adult gains about 0.45 kilos per year. To find out what drives weight gain, researchers examined data from three large studies of nurses and health professionals, said the report in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The subjects' lifestyle changes and weight gain were tracked every four years for two decades. Participants gained an average of 1.5 kilos over each four-year period, for a 7.6 kilo gain over 20 years.
The food linked to the greatest amount of weight gain were French fries, one extra daily serving of which could add 3.35 pounds every four years. An extra handful of potato chips each day could add 1.69 pounds in the same time period.
Similar results were seen among people who consumed extra sugary drinks (one pound) and meats (0.95 pounds for unprocessed, 0.92 pounds for processed).
However there was less weight gain as time went on among people who ate more of certain foods, such as yogurt, vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
| 
