title: Evaluating the impact of menu labeling on food choices and intake.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed the impact of restaurant menu calorie labels on food choices and intake.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants in a study dinner (n=303) were randomly assigned to either (1) a menu without calorie labels (no calorie labels), (2) a menu with calorie labels (calorie labels), or (3) a menu with calorie labels and a label stating the recommended daily caloric intake for an average adult (calorie labels plus information). Food choices and intake during and after the study dinner were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants in both calorie label conditions ordered fewer calories than those in the no calorie labels condition. When calorie label conditions were combined, that group consumed 14% fewer calories than the no calorie labels group. Individuals in the calorie labels condition consumed more calories after the study dinner than those in both other conditions. When calories consumed during and after the study dinner were combined, participants in the calorie labels plus information group consumed an average of 250 fewer calories than those in the other groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Calorie labels on restaurant menus impacted food choices and intake; adding a recommended daily caloric requirement label increased this effect, suggesting menu label legislation should require such a label. Future research should evaluate menu labeling's impact on children's food choices and consumption.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Yale University, Box 208205, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. christina.roberto@yale.edu
authors.forename: Christina A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Roberto
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Agnew
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baik
authors.forename: Kelly D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Brownell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003237:Connecticut; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005515:Food Labeling; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012147:Restaurants