Effect of mandatory calorie display at restaurants in Saudi Arabia on children and adolescents’ food choices
Reem M Ragea, Afnan H Saaty, Arwa M Turkistani, Tunny Sebastian, Hiba Mutwalli- General Medicine
ABSTRACT
Background:
Mandatory menu calorie labeling in restaurants is gaining popularity around the world as a beneficial strategy for promoting balanced energy consumption and encouraging healthier meal choices to lower obesity rates. Until now, calorie labeling effects on food purchasing are unclear.
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the calorie label-based purchasing, awareness, and factors that affect school-age children and adolescents in Saudi Arabia.
Materials and Methods:
An online questionnaire with simulated restaurant menus was distributed to determine the costumer’s behavior toward food purchasing. We targeted 431 school-aged children and adolescents (ages ranging from 7 to 18 years old).
Results:
Approximately half of participants (51%) noted the calorie labeling on the menu, although only 17% made a purchase based on the calorie labeling, and those who exercise regularly were more calorie-based purchasers in this study (
Conclusions:
The collected data clarifies children’s and adolescents’ attitudes toward calorie labeling, in addition to the other factors that influence restaurant ordering decisions.