Does Menu Labelling Influence Food Choice and Consumption in Female Undergraduate Students?

Public Significance Statement Although calorie labelling did not appear to impact food choice or consumption in this study, it may have particularly negative consequences for certain people, including those at high risk of developing an eating disorder. Future research should explore whether the calorie-labelling policy adversely impacts individuals vulnerable to eating disorders and whether alternative policies may be more effective in encouraging healthier eating. This study aimed to examine the impact of calorie labels on food choice and consumption as well as the moderating role of disordered eating on these outcomes. Participants were 59 female undergraduate students from a large Canadian university. Participants had their height and weight measured, completed self-report questionnaires assessing food preferences, disordered eating, and physiological states, and selected a snack item to consume from a menu that either included or did not include calorie labels. Participants' food intake was measured by weighing the food item prior to and after consumption. There were no significant differences between the calorie-label and no calorie-label groups on food choice or number of calories consumed. Contrary to hypotheses, there also was no significant interaction between calorie labels and disordered eating on food choice. Bayesian statistics indicated that there was little-to-no evidence supporting the alternative hypotheses and provide further support that the observed findings were true null effects and not a function of sample size. Findings suggest that calorie labelling may be ineffective in influencing eating behaviour in young adult females. Future research should explore the impact of menu labelling on food choice and consumption in individuals with a clinical diagnosis of an eating disorder or those at high risk for disordered eating. Gaining a better understanding of the impact of calorie labelling on food choice and consumption in this population may support the development of tailored interventions.