ARN08/06

Magazine Profiles：

Are Nutritional Labels The Answer?
Overweight and obesity are problematic issues in American Society. According to the World Health Organization, there are 1.6 billion overweight adults in the world. The United States is rank number 9 with 74.1 % of those over 15 years old considered overweight. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that around 6 out of 10 Americans were either overweight or obese.
To help combat this recurring social problem, the health officials have taken an assertive stand towards the restaurant industry in recent months. The New York City Health Department as of April 15, 2008 required national chain restaurants to put calorie counts on their menus. Health officials believe this measure will fight obesity by forcing diners to face the health consequences of their orders. By the end of December 2008, 1,700 chain restaurants operating in King County, Washington will be required to post nutritional information on many menu items. Chains such as McDonald’s, The Cheese Cake Factory, and Olive Garden are required to inform diners of the calories, sodium, carbohydrate, and saturated fat content in menu items. A similar measure will be effective in San Francisco in the coming months. Restaurant chains are required to include nutritional information on menus. If a restaurant does not have a menu, they are require to list calories per item on the menu boards, or posters.
Asian Restaurant News recently polled restaurant around the country asking if providing nutritional labels and information in restaurants is an effective measure in combating obesity. Are diners benefiting from such efforts? Or are there better alternative ways to help diners eat healthier?