title: Who reports noticing and using calorie information posted on fast food restaurant menus?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Identify consumer characteristics that predict seeing and using calorie information on fast food menu boards.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two separate data collection methods were used in Philadelphia during June 2010, several weeks after calorie labeling legislation went into effect: (1) point-of-purchase survey and receipt collection conducted outside fast food restaurants (N = 669) and (2) a random digit dial telephone survey (N = 702). Logistic regressions were used to predict the odds of reporting seeing, and of reporting seeing and being influenced by posted calorie information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately 35.1% of point-of-purchase and 65.7% of telephone survey respondents reported seeing posted calorie information, 11.8% and 41.7%, respectively, reported that the labels influenced their purchasing decisions, and 8.4% and 17% reported they were influenced in a healthful direction. BMI, education, income, gender, consumer preferences, restaurant chain, and frequency of visiting fast food restaurants were associated with heterogeneity in the likelihood of reporting seeing and reporting seeing and using calorie labels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Demographic characteristics and consumer preferences are important determinants in the use of posted calorie information. Future work should consider the types of consumers this information is intended for, and how to effectively reach them.
authors.affiliation: New York University Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service, 295 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012, USA; New York University School of Medicine, 550 1st Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Breck
authors.affiliation: New York University Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service, 295 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012, USA; New York University School of Medicine, 550 1st Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cantor
authors.affiliation: New York University School of Medicine, 550 1st Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: New York University Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service, 295 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012, USA; New York University School of Medicine, 550 1st Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA. Electronic address: brian.elbel@nyumc.org.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Elbel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior; D002149:Energy Intake; D057140:Fast Foods / Q000032:analysis*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000592:standards*; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015143:Philadelphia; D012147:Restaurants; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Calorie labeling; Obesity; Public policy