Impact of Calorie Labeling on Food Choices
Author Information
Author(s): Harnack Lisa J, French Simone A
Primary Institution: University of Minnesota
Hypothesis
Does calorie information influence food choices in restaurant and cafeteria settings?
Conclusion
Calorie labeling may have a limited effect on food choices, with more research needed to confirm its impact.
Supporting Evidence
- Five out of six studies suggested calorie information may influence food choices.
- One study found no significant effect of calorie labeling on food choices.
- Calorie labeling led to lower calorie meal selections in some studies.
Takeaway
When restaurants show calorie counts on their menus, some people choose lower-calorie foods, but not everyone pays attention to the numbers.
Methodology
The review included systematic searches of studies evaluating calorie labeling in restaurant and cafeteria settings.
Potential Biases
Social desirability bias may affect reported food choices in studies measuring intended rather than actual choices.
Limitations
Many studies had methodological shortcomings, including small sample sizes and lack of randomization.
Participant Demographics
Participants included adults and adolescents from various settings, including cafeterias and restaurants.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.02
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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