The vast majority of adolescents apparently underestimate the number of calories they consume in meals purchased at fast food restaurants, according to new research. As reported in the October 5, 2011, Chicago Sun-Times, teens aged 11-20 were surveyed outside fast food chains in four U.S. cities. Of those queried, 80% underestimated the actual calorie content—one third of those misjudged the amount by at least 500 calories.
The findings, according to Jason Block, M.D., Harvard Medical School, raise concerns that even when calorie information is available on fast food menus, many patrons still might not make use of it.