USDA statistics show that because of increased portion sizes, the average American's total daily calorie intake has risen from 1854 to 2002 over the last 20 years.  That increase, theoretically works out to an extra 15 pounds per year.

"Our focus has been distorted by so much emphasis on cutting fat intake at the expense of keeping portion sizes under control," says Melanie Polk of the American Heart Institute for Cancer Research.  "The fact is, we just eat too much."  She and other experts encourage people to employ a common-sense approach, such as using the palm of your hand or your clenched fist for gauging the portion sizes of food.

Excerpt from Jan/Feb 2001 Muscle Media Magazine.