Abstract
BackgroundStudies rarely find fewer calories purchased following calorie labeling implementation. However, few studies consider whether estimates of the number of calories purchased improved following calorie labeling legislation.FindingsResearchers surveyed customers and collected purchase receipts at fast food restaurants in the United States cities of Philadelphia (which implemented calorie labeling policies) and Baltimore (a matched comparison city) in December 2009 (pre-implementation) and June 2010 (post-implementation). A difference-in-difference design was used to examine the difference between estimated and actual calories purchased, and the odds of underestimating calories.Participants in both cities, both pre- and post-calorie labeling, tended to underestimate calories purchased, by an average 216–409 calories. Adjusted difference-in-differences in estimated-actual calories were significant for individuals who ordered small meals and those with some college education (accuracy in Philadelphia improved by 78 and 231 calories, respectively, relative to Baltimore, p = 0.03-0.04). However, categorical accuracy was similar; the adjusted odds ratio [AOR] for underestimation by >100 calories was 0.90 (p = 0.48) in difference-in-difference models. Accuracy was most improved for subjects with a BA or higher education (AOR = 0.25, p < 0.001) and for individuals ordering small meals (AOR = 0.54, p = 0.001). Accuracy worsened for females (AOR = 1.38, p < 0.001) and for individuals ordering large meals (AOR = 1.27, p = 0.028).ConclusionsWe concluded that the odds of underestimating calories varied by subgroup, suggesting that at some level, consumers may incorporate labeling information.
Highlights
Studies rarely find fewer calories purchased following calorie labeling implementation
We concluded that the odds of underestimating calories varied by subgroup, suggesting that at some level, consumers may incorporate labeling information
Calorie labeling legislation has been introduced in several United States cities and states to reduce obesity rates
Summary
We concluded that the odds of underestimating calories varied by subgroup, suggesting that at some level, consumers may incorporate labeling information. Studies suggest that calorie labeling has little impact on the number of calories purchased. Studies from Philadelphia [2] and low-income areas in New York City [3] found that labeling was associated with consumers noticing calorie labels but no significant change in calories purchased. Despite little evidence of a change in number of calories purchased, recent work has considered whether labeling is associated with greater accuracy in estimates of the number of calories purchased [11]. While consumers purchase a similar number of calories, do they better judge the caloric content of foods following labeling policies? One prior study suggests that consumers were 9 percentage points more accurate in correctly predicting calories purchased (within 100 calories, from 15% before labeling to 24% after labeling) [11], but was limited to New York City. Using a larger and more diverse sample than previous research, researchers examine the influence of calorie labeling on estimation of calories purchased in Philadelphia
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