A Cochrane review by researchers in the Behaviour and Health Research Unit has been receiving record levels of online media attention. The review, which assessed the current evidence for the effects of product size on consumption of food, alcohol and tobacco, provides the most conclusive evidence to date that people consume more food and drink when offered larger-sized portions, packages or tableware. 

The research, led by Drs Gareth Hollands and Ian Shemilt, was covered in a wide range of national and international media including BBC News, The Times, Guardian and New York Times. The level of online news and Twitter coverage has been such that the review’s Altmetric score currently places it at #1 of all Cochrane reviews and inside the top 500 of all articles ever published.

The team has also outlined potential policy actions in a follow-on article published in the BMJ last week. This analysis considers what interventions might work, where they might be made, how they could be achieved, and who needs to act to enable the changes.