In a commentary, also carried by the BMJ, Australian nutrionists Elizabeth Denney-Wilson and Karen Campbell suggested that the drive to eat quickly is a genetic survival mechanism - humans are hardwired to overconsume energy when it is available.
This mechanism has run into problems, though, with food that is cheap and instantly available and eaten swiftly, they argued.
"It may be that the changing sociology of food consumption, with fewer families eating together, more people eating while distracted (for example, while watching television), and people eating 'fast food' while on the go all promote eating quickly," said Denney-Wilson and Campbell.
"Furthermore, the increased availability of relatively inexpensive food, which is more energy-dense and served in substantially larger portions, may promote eating beyond satiety."
Source-AFP
RAS/SK