February 15/New York/States News Service -- A new study led by an NYU School of Medicine/Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service investigator, Dr. Brian Elbel, and published in the February 15, 2011, advance online publication International Journal of Obesity, challenges the idea that calorie labeling has an effect on the purchasing behavior of teenagers or what parents purchase for their children. Teens appear to notice the calorie information at the same rate as adults; however, they respond at a lower rate. The conclusions are similar to a previous study about adult eating behavior by Elbel, assistant professor of medicine and health policy, and colleagues, which showed that although labels did increase awareness of calories, they did not alter food choices.
Obesity in the U.S. is an enormous public health problem, and children and teenagers are increasingly becoming overweight or obese. Calorie labeling is the first significant policy effort to address obesity that has been implemented. Calorie menu labeling is now mandated to begin soon across the nation by the new health reform law called the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010" (ACA). Among the claims supporting this policy is that menu labeling will help people make better informed and healthier food choices.