Fast Food Exposed: Does Caloric Labeling Promote Lower Calorie Choices?

Fast food is convenient, inexpensive, and even entertaining for busy families with young children. Studies suggest, however, that fast food consumption is associated with increased caloric intake and weight gain. To examine the effects of fast food menu labeling on parents' food choices for their children, researchers randomized 99 families with children ages 3 to 6 years to review a McDonald's picture menu either with or without printed calorie information next to each food item. Parents chose hypothetical meals for themselves and their children. Families were recruited from a waiting room in a primary care clinic.

According to parent report, children in both groups had eaten fast food an average of 2.4 times in the past month. Frequency of…