A New New Yorker by Brit_Bird_Abroad

Oversized restaurant portions are making New Yorkers fat, according to the city's Department of Health, which is taking aim at the food industry.

Health Commissioner, Dr. Thomas Farley said “We are warning people about the risks of super-size portions so they can make more informed choices about what they eat.”

For example, the serving size of a beverage at a fast-food chain has quadrupled from seven ounces to 32 since 1955, while French fry portions have more than doubled to 5.4 ounces over the same time period. As a result, according to the city, New Yorkers are eating 1,000 calories, or half the amount they should consume in one day at lunch time alone.

One poster depicts an overweight man who has type 2 diabetes and an amputated leg. “Cut your portions. Cut your risks,” the ad states.

The campaign does though come on the heels of encouraging news about the city's battle against rising obesity rates. In December, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the results of a federal study showing that the childhood obesity rate in New York City has dropped by 5.5% over the past five years, bucking a national trend. The mayor and food policy experts credited the city's aggressive efforts to fight obesity.

Over the past 5 years or so, the city health agency has developed a series of campaigns targeting sugary drinks, excessive calories and encouraging people to exercise.

But more work is needed, according to Gretchen Van Wye, deputy director of chronic disease prevention at the city agency.

“Portion sizes have even increased in people's homes, where plates are larger than they were decades ago” said Ms. Van Wye.

About 57% of adult New Yorkers and two out of every five elementary school children remain overweight, while nearly 10% of New Yorkers have been diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes, according to the agency.

New Yorkers with the lowest incomes are twice as likely to suffer from diabetes compared with New Yorkers with the highest incomes, or 14.2% versus 6.9%.

The restaurant industry maintains that it is being unfairly accused of causing such health problems.

"Restaurants are continuing to offer more healthful options to consumers--with less calories, fat, and sugar, and in a variety of portion sizes," said Joy Dubost, director of healthy living and nutrition for the National Restaurant Association. She also said that the association supported the new federal menu labeling law, which requires some restaurants to disclose nutrition information.

Some restaurateurs say that diners don't want smaller portions and that they risk alienating their own customers if they reduce the size of their meals.

Zane Tankel, CEO of Apple-Metro, which owns 35 Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar in the New York metro area said his customers are demanding large portions.

“At the end of the day, the consumer dictates what we do,” he said.

Applebee's offers two low-calorie menu options: items based on recipes from Weight Watchers, as well as the chain's proprietary 500 calories and under meals.