Released: October 25, 2006

Low fat foods may promote weight gain

Source: By Nanci Hellmich, USA Today

People indulge a lot more in low-fat versions of processed foods than in their regular counterparts, and overweight people seem especially vulnerable, according to research presented Tuesday at the annual meeting of the Obesity Society, an organization of weight-loss professionals. Such products are seemingly designed to improve health, but they may actually contribute to weight problems, says Brian Wansink of Cornell University’s Food and Brand Lab in Ithaca, N.Y. “We’re a nation of low-fat foods and high-fat people.”

Wansink, who has done studies on the topic, says some low-fat processed foods, such as candies, have an average of only 15% fewer calories than regular ones, but consumers think they have about 40% fewer calories.

To see how much low-fat labels influence intake, Wansink and colleagues asked more than 250 people at an open house to try some new types and colors of M&Ms. They could eat as much as they wanted. 

Read Full Article: Low fat foods may promote weight gain