{"id":20299,"date":"2025-01-17T10:47:54","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T11:47:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/medexperts.pro\/?p=20299"},"modified":"2025-01-17T12:27:14","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T12:27:14","slug":"calorie-labels-have-small-effect-on-eating-habits-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/?p=20299","title":{"rendered":"Calorie labels have small effect on eating habits – study"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"GettyGetty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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Putting calories on food labels and menus “is no silver bullet” say researchers, who analysed the best evidence to date on how effective the policy can be.<\/p>\n

A review of 25 studies<\/a> on calorie labelling in a number of countries found a small reduction in the calories people chose to eat – equivalent to two almonds – but even this modest effect could help prevent adults putting on weight as they get older.<\/p>\n

The new rules on calorie labelling came into force in England in 2022 as part of government plans to encourage people to make healthier choices.<\/p>\n

The government said it would continue to evaluate the impact of out-of-home calorie labelling, including on people with eating disorders.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Restaurants, cafes and take-aways with more than 250 staff must now show how many calories are in meals on their menus.<\/p>\n

For Imara, a 27-year-old HR assistant from Birmingham, the change has been a positive part of her weight-loss journey.<\/p>\n

“It has meant that I have been able to stay on track, stay within my calorie deficit and still enjoy a nice meal out with friends, or with my husband, and still have a good time and not worry about falling off track.<\/p>\n

“Sometimes I will just have a meal and not think about the calories,” she says. <\/p>\n

“But if it is a day or a week where I do want to stay on track then I will look at the calories and see whether it is something that will fit within my goals.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Imara,<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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The research looked at studies of the impact of calorie labels in supermarkets, restaurants and other food outlets in countries including the United States, UK, Canada and France.<\/p>\n

In a 600-calorie meal, it found an average reduction of 11 calories (or 1.8%) in the food people chose and bought.<\/p>\n

Senior author Dr Gareth Hollands from University College London, said there was “a small but potentially meaningful effect on people’s food choices” but “we should not expect miracles”.<\/p>\n

He said calorie labelling “may have a useful role” alongside other measures, such as taxes on food and drinks, marketing restrictions and reformulation – making manufacturers adjust recipes for food products to make them healthier.<\/p>\n

Dr Natasha Clarke of Bath Spa University, who began the project at the University of Cambridge, says the evidence is “robust”.<\/p>\n

And as calorie labelling becomes more widespread, the effect could have a “meaningful contribution” to public health.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

‘Toxic way to look at food’<\/h2>\n
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\"MillyMilly Goldsmith<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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However, charities say the policy can make people with eating disorders feel more anxious about food, which could trigger a relapse.<\/p>\n

Milly Goldsmith, 27, a lifestyle influencer from London, struggled with anorexia nervosa and body dysmorphia from the age of 13 to 18.<\/p>\n

She says calorie counting is what “fed” her eating disorder.<\/p>\n

“I really feel it is just reinforcing those eating habits and making it a really toxic way to look at food.”<\/p>\n

Though Milly is in recovery, she describes the constant battle between her “eating- disorder brain” and “logical brain” not to fixate on the calories in her meals.<\/p>\n

The review acknowledged a “lack of data” of the possible harms including mental health impacts, and the authors have recommended future research to assess this.<\/p>\n

To encourage healthier eating, the government has already announced plans to ban junk food adverts on TV and online in England, alongside calorie labelling.<\/p>\n

This is part of a wider plan to tackle high rates of obesity<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We have also given local authorities stronger powers to block applications for unhealthy takeaways near schools, to stop fast-food giants targeting pupils.”<\/p>\n

The Scottish government has been consulting on whether restaurants and cafes must display calorie levels.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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