Study suggests posting calorie information on menus

LOS ANGELES, May 5 (Xinhua) -- Posting calorie information on restaurant menus could play a major role in slowing the obesity epidemic, according to a study released on Monday.

If 10 percent of restaurant patrons ordered reduced-calorie meals with an average reduction of 100 calories per meal, the result would be a 38.9 percent decrease in the annual weight gain in the population of those aged 5 and up, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said in the study.

"Obesity is one of the most serious public health threats we face today," said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, the county's director of public health.

"This study shows that providing restaurant customers with calorie information at the point of purchase could lead to more informed decisions, and have a dramatic effect on reducing the overall obesity epidemic."

A bill pending before the state Legislature, SB 1420, would mandate menu labeling by restaurant chains with 15 or more outlets across California.

A similar Senate bill, SB 120, was approved by the Legislature last year but vetoed in October by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who said it would unfairly burden some restaurant owners with the costs associated with determining the nutritional content of every menu item.

Meanwhile, state lawmakers are also considering an Assembly bill that would require the posting of nutritional information in restaurants, but would not require it to be on menus and menu boards, instead allowing it to be on brochures, posters or tray liners.

Two health surveys of Los Angeles County residents found that the percentage of obese adults in the county increased from 14.3 percent in 1997 to 20.9 percent in 2005.