As an epidemic destined to escalate into a health care nightmare, obesity promises to affect this generation and beyond unless steps are taken to thwart the persistence of poor nutrition. As a result, a provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 makes it mandatory to put calorie labels on restaurant menus. The policy is intended to provide consumers with information that will encourage them to choose healthier fare for themselves and their children.
However, a recent study conducted by Dr. Brian Elbel, an assistant professor of medicine and health policy a New York University, and colleagues found that although labeling improved awareness of calories, food selection remained unaltered.
The study showed that after New York City implemented mandatory calorie labeling in fast food restaurants in 2008, 9 percent of teenagers and about 28 percent of adults stated this information influenced what they ordered.
Nevertheless, the study found there was no significant change in the actual number of calories purchased at fast food restaurants after the policy's implementation. The question arises - why did adolescents and adults continue to make poor nutritional choices despite clear labeling?
It comes down to the information presented, said Angie Hasemann, a clinical dietician at the University Children's Hospital, "Calories are confusing, even for us registered dieticians," Hasemann said. "The hundreds of choices we make on daily basis are usually habitual. Many of those choices involving food are difficult to change with just labels.
Wendy Phillips, a registered dietician at Student Health, said she believes another contributing factor is Americans prefer meals that are cheap and quick, often eating on the go to keep up with their hectic schedules. "Americans are used to the taste of salt and fat", Phillips said. With fast food restaurants dotting most main roads in the United States, it remains no wonder Americans continue to keep with their nutritional choices.
First-year College student Annie Ungrady said she understands why fast food has an appeal for Americans.
"I am positive that if McDonald's sold healthy food for the prices they sell their Big Macs, people would eat healthily," she said. "Healthy food is expensive food - some people value their money more than their health."
Many attribute the ineffectiveness of this policy to the lack of influence labels have on individuals, especially those who ignore such information on a regular basis.
Hasemann said, "While policies that promote nutritional health through school, advertising and increased labeling are great, it all comes down to the family environment," she said. Drawing from her experience working exclusively with childhood obesity, Hasemann commented on the importance of role models, noting that children mimic parents' behavior and unconsciously continue to make those same decisions as they grow older.
Although labeling may be a step in the right direction, many agree that increased calorie labeling may not be the ideal policy to take against obesity.
"Americans need to take personal responsibility for their health, most importantly, starting with the kids," Phillips said.
The government nevertheless remains a player in fighting obesity, but many believe that certain steps need to be taken to increase its influence. Phillips said policies should "focus on bettering the availability of lower-calorie foods and incorporation of exercise into one's lifestyle.
Elbel's study demonstrates that reversing the course of obesity in America will take significant effort, not simply by political policy, but by the personal initiatives of Americans themselves.
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