Supersize me? No thanks.

Uh.....perhaps I will take the veggie wrap.

Does nutrition labeling in fast food restaurants lead to healthier food choices? This is an ongoing debate. For some, the American obesity crisis is a function of poor individual choices and a lack of nutritional education. Of course the issue is much more complicated. Obesity is multi-factorial and includes genetic predisposition, food consumption choices, and of course, sociocultural and environmental factors.


A recent manuscript published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine studied nutrition labeling in fast food chains (King County, Washington). The investigators compared total transactions and average calories per transaction between seven restaurants and seven control locations pre/post mandatory implementation of nutritional information on standard/drive-through menus. No differences were observed in transaction trends and in average calories per transaction. The study data was limited to Taco Time restaurants only and the county studied is already notoriously health conscious. I doubt that results can be generalized.


I feel that nutrition labeling should be mandatory on ALL menus. At the very least, a consumer can make a quasi-informed decision. If, even after widespread implementation of nutrition labeling, no impact is seen on food choices, perhaps other public health measures should be promoted to combat obesity.


So, if you are thinking of ordering the Hardee's 2/3rd pound Monster Thickburger, perhaps you will think twice once you see the nutritional info.  1320 Calories and 36 grams of fat (does not include fries and soda)!


I feel my coronary arteries clogging.