Study: Chips To Blame For Yearly 1-Pound Weight Gain

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- When people gain weight they usually blame some pretty predictable culprits -- sweets, soda, french fries or maybe pizza.

But a new study says potato chips may be the worst offender when it comes to that creeping pound-a-year or so weight gain.

The reason? That old cliche -- "you can't eat just one."

Researchers say people don't just eat a chip or two, they tend to chow down on a whole bag.

In the study, people's diets were tracked over four-year periods for 20 years.

For each four-year period, food choices contributed nearly four pounds. Exercise, for those who did it, cut less than two pounds.

Potato chips were the biggest offender leading to more than a pound and a half uptick over four years. Sweets and desserts added less than a half a pound. Soda added a pound over four years.