How the size of a portion of chips has almost DOUBLED

We already know that no matter how much we like eating them, too many chips is bad for our health.

But despite warnings of an obesity crisis and risks of early death, a study has found that portion sizes have increased.

Figures from Obesity Action Scotland (OAS) show some takeaways are selling bags of chips 80 per cent larger than in 2002.

The charity is calling for regulations to control portion sizes, which grew from an average of 210g to 380g in the past 16 years.

Campaigners want to see the introduction of mandatory calorie caps and calorie information on menus, with more half-size portions made available.

Lorraine Tulloch of OAS said: ‘Today’s average bag of chips contains around half of the recommended calorie intake for a woman for an entire day.

‘It is no wonder that people can put on weight so easily. Let us start to improve takeaways and eating out by ensuring people can opt for smaller portions and are aware of the calorie content of the items they are purchasing.’

For the survey, carried out in May, the charity visited 30 takeaways in Glasgow and measured 40 chip portion samples. Researchers found 37 were bigger than official portion size guidance published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) 16 years ago. The largest poke of chips weighed 755g, while the smallest was 120g.

FSA Scotland’s head of public health nutrition heather Peace said it would consult on a strategy to deal with calorie intakes when eating out.

She added: ‘Food Standards Scotland welcomes Obesity Action Scotland’s Chips to Go study, which adds to the evidence that portion sizes when we’re eating out can often be too big and can mean we’re eating more calories than we realise or need.

‘The findings are in line with other studies, including our own survey which showed that around a quarter of main meals bought outside of the home contain more than 1,000 calories, equivalent to half the daily calorie needs of an average woman.’

The study comes a month after Scottish ministers published a diet and healthy weight plan, which includes the goal of halving childhood obesity by 2030.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Obesity Action Scotland raises an important issue. It is clear that food outlets that embrace healthier and smaller portion options with clear nutritional information will help improve the nation’s diet.

‘That is why Food Standards Scotland will later this year lead a consultation that will include proposals for addressing portion sizes and information for consumers, including calorie labelling, for restaurants, cafés, delivery services and other food outlets.’

In March, we told how charity Diabetes UK issued a warning to ministers after it was revealed that two-thirds of adults in the UK are overweight or obese.

‘People put on weight so easily’