It is no secret that contemporary lifestyles have made it more difficult for families to sit down together at mealtime.

Now, research suggests that this factor could be among those causing people to pay less attention to what they eat – and gain weight in the process.

A Japanese study published in the British Medical Journal describes how people who eat quickly until they are full are more likely to have a high body mass index.

The scientists link faster eating and larger food portions to a higher incidence of on-the-go eating, more meals taken in front of the television and the prevalence of cheap fast food.

According to the results, people who admitted to eating quickly and until they were full were three times more likely to carry excess weight than those who said they do not behave that way.

Television watching may also play a role in overeating, some experts suggest, because viewers tend to be distracted and pay less attention to how much they consume.

Taking efforts to lower blood sugar naturally could also help people keep their weight in check.