Eating Slowly May Help Prevent Obesity, Say Researchers

Studies suggest that there is a link between eating slowly and lower waist circumference and BMI, though some experts are skeptical. Other studies have indicated that those who eat quickly are more likely to be overweight, have acid reflux and have metabolic syndrome. While you might be tempted to wolf down a sandwich or gobble up your dinner, researchers say there may be advantages to taking your time over a meal.

According to a study looking at type 2 diabetics, eating slowly could help prevent obesity, with researchers finding a link to both lower waist circumference and body mass index (BMI).

Discover Eating Slowly May Help Prevent Obesity, Say Researchers

Interventions aimed at altering eating habits, such as education initiatives and programmes to reduce eating speed, may be useful in preventing obesity and reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases, the authors write.

The latest study is not the first to suggest that taking a sedate pace at the dinner table could be beneficial: various pieces of work have hinted that those who eat quickly are more likely to be overweight, have acid reflux and have metabolic syndrome.

The latest study, published in the journal BMJ Open by researchers in Japan, looked at data collected though health checkups and claims from more than 59,700 individuals as part of health insurance plans, with data spanning from 2008 to mid-2013.

As part of the health checkup, participants were asked seven questions about their lifestyle, including whether their eating speed was fast, normal or slow, whether they snacked after dinner three times or more a week, and whether they skipped breakfast three times or more a week.

The results reveal that 21.5% of the slow-eating group was obese, compared to almost 30% of the normal-speed group and 45% of the fast-eating group. While the slow eaters had an average BMI of just over 22, the normal eaters had a BMI of 23.5 on average, and the fast eaters had an average BMI of around 25, while waist circumference was also found to increase with faster-eating pace.