Effects of Caloric Disclosure on Eating Disorders: Research Results
Calorie Labels on Menus May Harm Those with Eating Disorders
The debate surrounding the effectiveness of calorie labels in promoting healthier food choices continues, with a new study published in the British Medical Journal Public Health raising concerns about their potential negative impacts on individuals with eating disorders.
The review, led by Dr. Nora Trompeter, found that individuals with anorexia or bulimia were more likely to select lower-calorie foods when presented with menu labels, compared to when the labels were absent. This could potentially trigger or worsen symptoms, leading to more rigid control around food intake and reinforcing eating disorder patterns.
The Department of Health and Social Care has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing the obesity crisis. However, it acknowledges the need to evaluate the effects of calorie labeling on individuals with eating disorders. Tom Quinn, director of external affairs at eating disorder charity Beat, has expressed concern about the negative impact of calorie labeling on those struggling with disordered eating behaviors.
Key points from the study include:
- Calorie labels can worsen eating disorder symptoms by promoting restrictive eating behaviors and preoccupation with calorie content, which aligns with common features of disorders like anorexia nervosa and orthorexia nervosa (an obsession with eating "clean" or "healthy" foods) where control over eating is a central issue.
- Individuals with eating disorders may respond to calorie labels by intensifying avoidance of certain foods, increasing anxiety, and engaging in disordered eating practices such as labeling foods as “good” or “bad” and strictly limiting their intake.
Experts emphasize the need to balance public health benefits of calorie labeling for weight management with the potential harm to vulnerable groups, including those with eating disorders. The study suggests a need for further research to better understand how nutritional information on menus affects individuals with eating disorders.
Over half of participants with eating disorders in a study conducted in England reported that calorie labels worsened their symptoms. Dr. Tom Jewell, another co-author, highlighted the frustration expressed by individuals with eating disorders at being excluded from discussions around calorie labeling.
In summary, while calorie labels aim to support healthier choices broadly, for people with eating disorders they can unintentionally deepen restrictive and obsessive eating behaviors, worsening their condition. The complex relationship between public health policies and mental health outcomes is being addressed by researchers, policymakers, and advocacy groups. It is crucial for policymakers to strike a balance between promoting healthy eating habits and safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable populations.
- The study published in the British Medical Journal Public Health highlights that calorie labels on menus might negatively impact individuals with eating disorders, as they could reinforce disordered eating patterns and hinder mental health.
- To maintain overall health-and-wellness, it's essential for policymakers to prioritize considerations of mental-health concerns alongside public health strategies such as calorie labeling, ensuring a balance that protects the well-being of all populations.
