For two and a half years, restaurant chains in England have had to indicate on menus how many calories their food contains. Yet the eating habits of the English people have not changed.
For their study, the research team led by Megan Polden from the University of Liverpool surveyed more than 6,000 customers of restaurants, cafes and fast food outlets – before and after the introduction of the menu line.
Despite the additional information, customers did not really order low-calorie dishes and did not eat less.
- However, the team noticed one difference: many more respondents noticed the number of calories in their dishes; Instead of 17 percent before, this was 32 percent after the introduction. However, only a small proportion took this into account when making their purchasing decision and, for example, opted for a low-calorie dish.
- The vast majority of respondents did not know how many calories they consumed – and they vastly underestimated the calorie content of their dishes. On average, the purchased meals contain about 1,000 calories, about half of an adult’s daily needs.
The fight against obesity continues
The government in London introduced the menu rule because it hoped it could help combat rising obesity among the population. The idea was: everyone who is informed about the content will consume fewer calories.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
