They may be fueling eating disorders.
A recent review of evidence suggests that calorie labels on restaurant menus may be detrimental to individuals with eating disorders. While these labels are intended to help consumers make healthier food choices by providing calorie information, the study found that people with eating disorders often have negative reactions when confronted with such labels. These reactions include avoiding restaurants, experiencing distressing thoughts related to their eating disorders, and fixating on the calorie counts.
For some, the labels seemed to reinforce unhealthy beliefs tied to their eating disorders, making it harder to recover. One individual reported that seeing calorie labels had set back their recovery process, and they only felt safe eating at home. The study, published in the BMJ Public Health, highlights the frustration among those with eating disorders, who feel that their experiences are often overlooked in discussions about calorie labeling.
The review involved 16 previous studies with over 8,000 participants. It found that, in general, calorie labels on menus had mostly negative impacts on individuals with eating disorders or disordered eating habits. Many participants reported becoming hyper-aware of the calorie counts, leading to distressing thoughts about their bodies. One participant described feeling “dirty” when thinking about the calories and imagining their body growing larger.
In addition, discussions triggered by the calorie labels, such as diet talk among friends, made some individuals uncomfortable. One participant recalled asking friends to stop talking about the calorie content, as it made the meal feel awkward and led them to worry that people would stop inviting them out. Researchers noted that while much of the focus has been on the effectiveness of calorie labels in reducing obesity, it is also essential to consider the unintended consequences for those with eating disorders.
The study calls for more research to understand the full impact of calorie labeling on individuals with eating disorders. Co-author Nora Trompeter emphasized the need to evaluate whether these policies might inadvertently harm certain groups while also addressing public health concerns related to obesity.
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