title: Calorie labeling in a rural middle school influences food selection: findings from community-based participatory research.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Calorie labeling at the point-of-purchase in chain restaurants has been shown to reduce energy intake.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the impact of point-of-purchase calorie information at one rural middle school.
  
  
  METHODS
  With a community-based participatory research framework a mixed method approach was used to evaluate the impact of point-of-purchase calorie information. Students in grades 6-8, dining at the school cafeteria January and February 2010, participated for 17 school days each month; in January a menu was offered in the usual manner without calorie labels; the same menu was prepared in February with the addition of calorie labels at point-of-purchase. Gross calories served per student were measured each day allowing for matched comparison by menu. In March/April of 2010, 32 students who ate in the cafeteria 3 or more times per week were interviewed regarding their views on menu labeling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Calorie consumption decreased by an average of 47 calories/day; fat intake reduced by 2.1 grams/day. Five main themes were consistent throughout the interviews.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Point-of-purchase calorie labels can play a role in reducing the number of calories consumed by middle school age children at the lunch. The majority of students interviewed found the calorie labels helped them choose healthier food.
authors: University of Gothenburg, Public Health Epidemiology and Community Medicine, P.O. Box 454, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: Monica
authors: 0000-0003-1779-1286
authors: M
authors: Hunsberger
authors: Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization, 309 E 2nd Street, The Dalles, OR 97058, USA.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: McGinnis
authors: Jefferson County School District 509-J, 445 SE Buff Street, Madras, OR 97741, USA.
authors: Jamie
authors: 0000-0002-6624-7562
authors: J
authors: Smith
authors: St. Charles Health System, 470 NE A Street Madras, OR 97741, USA.
authors: Beth Ann
authors: BA
authors: Beamer
authors: Oregon Clinical & Translational Research Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
authors: Jean
authors: J
authors: O'Malley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002755:Choice Behavior; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology*; D005522:Food Services / Q000592:standards*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D062409:Lunch; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009753:Nutritive Value; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D012574:Schools; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data