Am J Public Health. 2006 Jul 27; [Epub ahead of print]

Burton S, Creyer EH, Kees J, Huggins K

If more people knew what they were eating in restaurants, would obesity reduce?

Requiring restaurants to present nutrition information on menus is under consideration as a potential way to slow the increasing prevalence of obesity. 

A research group at the University of Arkansas set out to determine how accurately consumers estimated the nutrient content of typical restaurant meals and to examine how the provision of nutritional information on menus influenced purchase intentions and preferences.

Survey responses were analysed and here are the results:

Levels of calories, fat, and saturated fat in less-healthy restaurant items were significantly underestimated by consumers. Actual fat and saturated fat levels were twice consumers' estimates and calories approached two times more than that expected by consumers. When levels of calories, fat, and saturated fat substantially exceeded consumers' expectations, the provision of nutritional information had a significant negative influence on product attitude, purchase intention, and choice.

The authors concluded that most consumers are unaware of the high levels of calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium found in many menu items. Provision of nutritional information on restaurant menus could potentially help in attempts to reduce weight for a population.