A new study reveals that calorie labels on restaurant menus could be having a harmful impact on individuals with eating disorders. The study, published in BMJ Public Health, found that people with eating disorders altered their behavior when presented with calorie-labeled menus, with some avoiding dining out altogether and others focusing more on calorie counts. The study also found that for some, seeing calorie labels reinforced disordered eating beliefs, potentially worsening their condition.
A new study published in BMJ Public Health suggests that calorie labels on restaurant menus could be detrimental to individuals with eating disorders . Researchers at King's College London conducted the first comprehensive review of its kind, revealing that individuals diagnosed with an eating disorder altered their behaviors when presented with calorie-labeled menus.
Some avoided dining out altogether, while others exhibited an increased preoccupation with calorie counts, as confirmed by eye-tracking research. The study also found that for some individuals, the presence of calorie labels reinforced disordered eating beliefs, potentially exacerbating their condition. The researchers analyzed data from 16 studies involving 8,074 participants from the UK, US, Canada, and Saudi Arabia to better understand the effects of nutritional labels on menus for individuals with eating disorders or disordered eating experiences.Findings indicate that some individuals with eating disorders feel their struggles are marginalized in the pursuit of obesity prevention policies. Experts argue that physical health cannot be solely defined by weight and that calorie labels may oversimplify a complex issue, potentially disadvantaging those with eating disorders. Calorie labeling laws were implemented in England in 2022, mandating restaurants, takeaways, and cafes with 250 or more employees to display calorie counts on menus, online listings, and takeaway platforms. This policy aimed to address rising obesity rates. Similar regulations exist in the United States and Canada, but few obesity-focused policies have adequately considered their potential impact on individuals with eating disorders. According to the eating disorder charity Beat, at least 1.25 million people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder, with hospital admissions for these conditions steadily increasing by approximately 7% annually since 2005-2006
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