Displaying Calorie Counts Does Not Change Eating Habits

A new study conducted by researchers from the Duke National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School has revealed that displaying calorie count on menus has had no effect on the eating habits of the diners. Listing the calorie count of each food item was made mandatory in 2009 among food chains in King County, Wash., with more than 15 outlets and yearly sales of over $1 million. However 13 months after the rule came into effect, the researchers found that the food purchasing behavior at outlets with such menus is similar to those who purchase at outlets that do not display the calorie count.

The latest research has cast a doubt over the effectiveness of the menu labeling clause inserted in President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform laws since it has proven to be ineffective in making the diners eat conservatively.

“The results suggest that mandatory menu labeling, unless combined with other interventions, may be unlikely to significantly influence the obesity epidemic”, lead researcher Eric Finkelstein said in his report which will be published in the American Journal for Preventive Medicine


Source-Medindia