Recent research suggests that calorie labels on menus may exacerbate eating disorders. The review, published in the British Medical Journal Public Health, analyzed 16 studies from various countries involving 8,074 participants with eating disorders. The focus was on how nutritional labels on menus affected individuals with eating disorders.
The researchers found evidence indicating concerns about negative impacts, especially for those with restrictive eating disorders, and called for further investigation. These impacts included avoiding restaurants based on menu labels, triggering eating disorder thoughts, and increased attention to calorie information as shown by eye-tracking research.
One study in the US revealed that individuals with anorexia or bulimia chose food with an average of 550 calories when provided with calorie labels, compared to 1,615 calories without the labels. Another study in England found that 55% of participants with eating disorders believed that calorie labeling exacerbated their symptoms.
The review emphasized the need for more research to understand the effects of calorie labeling on individuals with eating disorders, rather than solely focusing on addressing obesity.
A menu showing calories next to prices. Pic: iStock
In 2022, a law was passed in England requiring calories on menus of restaurants, takeaways, and cafes with more than 250 employees to combat obesity. However, recent studies have cast doubt on its effectiveness. A Cochrane review suggested that calorie labels on menus and food packaging led to people consuming fewer calories, though experts acknowledged the limited impact on food choices.
Co-author of the new review, Dr Nora Trompeter, emphasized the importance of considering the impact of calorie labeling on individuals with eating disorders rather than just focusing on obesity reduction. Fellow co-author Dr Tom Jewell highlighted the need for balance in public health policies to address both positive and negative impacts of calorie labels.
Additionally, Tom Quinn from the eating disorder charity Beat expressed concerns about the harmful effects of calorie labeling on individuals with eating disorders and called for prioritizing support for those affected by these mental illnesses.
The Department of Health and Social Care assured that the government is committed to addressing obesity and evaluating the impact of calorie labeling on individuals with eating disorders. They also outlined plans to improve mental health support for those with eating disorders.