calorie content of menu items at major fast-food chains did not change the purchasing habits or decrease the number of calories that customers in Philadelphia in the US consumed, according to research from the New York University (NYU) School of Medicine and the NYU Langone Medical Centre.The findings, reported on 15 November 2013 at the Obesity Society’s annual scientific meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, echoed those conducted by the same researchers among low-income neighbourhoods in New York City before and after calorie-labels were mandated in New York in July 2008.
“What we’re seeing is that many consumers, particularly vulnerable groups, do not report noticing calorie labelling information and even fewer report using labelling to purchase fewer calories,” said Dr Brian Elbel, lead study author and Assistant Professor of Population Health and Health Policy at NYU School of Medicine. “After labelling began in Philadelphia, about 10 per cent of the respondents in our study said that calorie labels at fast-food chains resulted in them choosing fewer calories,” he said.
As part of an effort to encourage people to make healthier food choices, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act mandates that restaurant chains in the US with 20 or more locations nationally must post the calorie content of all regular food and drink items on their menu board or printed menus.
But the researchers said there is “limited scientific evidence from real-world studies” to support calorie labelling. Moreover, little is understood about how calorie labels will impact different populations, according to the researchers. Obesity affects more than one third of Americans, with low-income, urban neighbourhoods hardest hit.
“Studies have not generally examined whether labelling is more or less effective for particular subgroups,” Dr Elbel said.
