Do calorie labels really work? Here’s what the research says
If you’ve ever glanced at the calorie counts on menus and wondered if they really make a difference, the answer is: yes, but only in a very small way.
According to a new Cochrane review, published today, calorie labelling on menus leads people to choose slightly fewer calories – about 11 fewer per meal on average, which is roughly the same as two almonds or a teaspoon of sugar.
This is what the science says...
The research
The research team, led by scientists from UCL, Bath Spa University, the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, examined evidence from 25 studies – involving over 10,000 participants – looking at the impact of calorie labelling on food selection and consumption.
The results
The study found that calorie labelling led to a 1.8% reduction in calories purchased – which equates to roughly 11 calories in a 600-calorie meal – or around two almonds.
While such a small amount might seem like nothing, minor daily adjustments like this can help prevent long-term weight gain.
In fact, according to a UK government report, experts estimate that 90% of 20-40-year-olds in England will gain up to 9kg over ten years if they’re not mindful of their daily calorie intake. Reducing just 24 calories a day could help stop this gradual creep.
What does this mean for us?
Dr Gareth Hollands, senior author from the UCL Social Research Institute and senior visiting fellow at the University of Cambridge explains that calorie labelling isn’t a cure-all for overeating. ‘Calorie labelling is certainly no silver bullet,’ he says.
But while calorie labelling to reduce the calories that people consume remains somewhat contentious, he adds; ‘We can now say with considerable confidence that it does have a small but potentially meaningful effect on people’s food choices.’
Lead author Dr Natasha Clarke of Bath Spa University, adds; ‘While the overall impact on individual meals or food purchases may be modest, the evidence is robust. The cumulative effect at a population level could make a meaningful contribution to public health, especially as calorie labelling becomes more widespread.’
So, do calorie labels work?
While calorie labels can be helpful – and clearly the science shows that calorie labelling can lead to small, but consistent, reductions in calorie selection – they’re not for everyone.
It’s worth pointing out that the experts noted their research didn’t explore potential downsides, including how calorie labelling might affect mental health or its possible impact on people at risk of disordered eating.
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