Use restraint to avoid middle-age girth

PROVO, Utah, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Middle-age women not practicing restraint in eating have twice the risk of substantial weight gain, a U.S. researcher says.

The Brigham Young University study, published in the American Journal of Health Promotion, finds women who do not become more restrained with eating were 138 percent more likely to put on 6.6 pounds or more.

"Some suggest that restrained eating is not a good practice," study lead author Larry Tucker of Brigham Young University says in a statement. "Given the environmental forces in America's food industry, not practicing restraint is essentially a guarantee of failure."

The study followed 192 middle-aged women for three years and tracked information on lifestyle, health and eating habits.

"Weight gain and obesity bring a greater risk of diabetes and a number of other chronic diseases," Tucker says. "Eating properly is a skill that needs to be practiced."

Tucker's tips for better eating include putting less food on the plate, eating at least five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day and keeping an eating journal.