The food, or ‘‘built’’ environment has shifted in ways
that promote overeating: highly caloric and fat-laden
foods are not only affordable but also easily accessible
(i.e., numerous fast food restaurants, vending machines
of energy dense items in schools and offices, etc.). These
highly palatable foods are frequently available in large
portions, which contribute to increased daily caloric
intake [4]. Not only have commercial portion sizes
increased, the number of processed food items (typically
high in sugar, fat, and sodium) available in grocery
stores, mini-marts, and convenience stores has skyrocketed.
Today, the majority of products in grocery stores
are non-perishable, highly processed, and pre-packaged
foods. These products are heavily marketed not only to
adults but also to children as well. Convenient, easy to
prepare, and inexpensive, these high calorie products are
frequently consumed by millions of families who are
struggling to meet the economic and scheduling demands
of today’s fast paced lifestyle.