title: What types of nutrition menu labelling lead consumers to select less energy-dense fast food? An experimental study.
abstract: This study assessed whether the inclusion of kilojoule labelling alone or accompanied by further nutrition information on menus led adults to select less energy-dense fast food meals. A between-subjects experimental design was used with online menu boards systematically varied to test the following labelling conditions: none (control); kilojoule; kilojoule+percent daily intake; kilojoule+traffic light; and kilojoule+traffic light+percent daily intake. Respondents were 1294 adults aged 18-49 in Victoria, Australia who had purchased fast food in the last month and were randomly assigned to conditions. Respondents in the no labelling condition selected meals with the highest mean energy content and those viewing the kilojoule and kilojoule+traffic light information selected meals with a significantly lower mean energy content, that constituted a reduction of around 500kJ (120kcal). Respondents most commonly reported using the traffic light labels in making their selections. These findings provide support for the policy of disclosure of energy content on menus at restaurant chains. Given the magnitude of the reduction in energy density reported, and the prevalence of fast food consumption, this policy initiative has the potential to yield health benefits at the population level.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, 1 Rathdowne Street, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia. Belinda.Morley@cancervic.org.au
authors.forename: Belinda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Morley
authors.forename: Maree
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scully
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Philippa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Niven
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wakefield
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D002755:Choice Behavior; D057140:Fast Foods; D005260:Female; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012147:Restaurants