Calorie estimation accuracy and menu labeling perceptions among individuals with and without binge eating and/or purging disorders.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Menu labeling is a public health policy that requires chain restaurants in the USA to post kilocalorie information on their menus to help consumers make informed choices. However, there is concern that such a policy might promote disordered eating. This web-based study compared individuals with self-reported binge eating disorder (N = 52), bulimia nervosa (N = 25), and purging disorder (N = 17) and those without eating disorders (No ED) (N = 277) on restaurant calorie information knowledge and perceptions of menu labeling legislation. On average, people answered 1.46 ± 1.08 questions correctly (out of 6) (25%) on a calorie information quiz and 92% of the sample was in favor of menu labeling. The findings did not differ based on eating disorder, dieting, or weight status, or race/ethnicity. The results indicated that people have difficulty estimating the calories in restaurant meals and individuals with and without eating disorders are largely in favor of menu labeling laws.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Roberto, CA; Haynos, AF; Schwartz, MB; Brownell, KD; White, MA

Published Date

  • September 2013

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 18 / 3

Start / End Page

  • 255 - 261

PubMed ID

  • 23760909

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1590-1262

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1124-4909

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1007/s40519-013-0035-x

Language

  • eng