1. Tania Medeiros-MPH Student
Improving consumer health: Implementing calorie information on your menus and displays
Tania Medeiros-MPH Student
Walden University
PUBH Dr. Howard Rubin
Winter Term, 2010
Hello, my name is Tania Medeiros. I am a Masters in Public Health student at Walden University. I would like to speak with you today about the importance of implementing calorie information on your restaurant menus and most significantly, on point of purchase displays.
I appreciate your attendance and I hope to provide a presentation that will create a new sense of awareness and change to your restaurants.

2. Objectives Impact of Obesity within the United States
Health Risks associated with obesity
Calories –How they affect diet
Importance of the awareness of caloric intake
Current legislation and future effects to your business
How consumers view available calorie information.
The key points that I will be addressing today stem directly from the great impact that obesity has among our nation. Furthermore, there are several health risks and chronic illnesses that are caused by this epidemic.
I will provide answers to why implementing caloric information on your menus is not only a vital public health move, but an asset to your business.
There is current legislation requiring calorie information to be displayed and I will reinforce how you can stay ahead of these requirements.

3. Obesity Prevalence of obesity within the U.S exceeds 30 %
All ethnic and racial groups are
showing increasing rates
Men are more likely to be obese.
17% Children ages 2 to 19 are obese
The prevalence of obesity within the United States continues to rise. Obesity is an epidemic that greatly affects the health of the population exceeding 30 percent. The prevalence of obesity increased among all ethnic and racial groups as well as in varying socio-economic groups. Men show higher rates of obesity over women, and obesity continues to be on the rise for our children. In 2007, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, showed that 17% of children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 19 are obese.
Flegal, K.M., Carroll, M.D., Ogden, C.L., Curtin, L.R. (2010). Prevalence and Trends in Obesity Among US Adults, Journal of the American Medical Association, 303(3),

4. Prevalence of obesity Obesity is Multifaceted
Influenced by individual biology and behavior
Socio-Economic Impact
High Calorie foods are cheaper
and more available
Food Companies Influence
The causes of obesity are multifaceted. Individual biology predisposes individuals to be more apt for weight gain, however, behavior and social impact are great factors leading to obesity. Furthermore, food companies spend millions of dollars on advertisements that appeal to the population for a vast array of unhealthy fast food and high caloric food products.
Lewis, K.K. & Doonan, M. (2007). Overweight and obesity in Massachusetts: Epidemic, hype or policy opportunity? The Massachusetts Health Policy Forum, p
Center for Disease Control. (2010). Childhood overweight and obesity. Retrieved on 14 Oct 2009.

5. Obesity in Massachusetts
In 2009, 21% obese adults in Massachusetts
Larger portion sizes
Frequent Eating-out
Lack of Physical exercise.
Obesity has a great impact here in our own state of Massachusetts, even though it has lower rates than most of the nation. In 2009, it was estimated that 21 percent of adults were obese within this state. Portion sizes are increased and foods that are high in calories and fat seem to be more readily accessible and cheaper than healthier choices. Furthermore, individuals eat out more often than within their own homes and there is a lack of physical exercise within the population.
Lewis, K.K. & Doonan, M. (2007). Overweight and obesity in Massachusetts: Epidemic, hype or policy opportunity? The Massachusetts Health Policy Forum, p Jan07/Obesity%20Forum%20Policy%20Brief%20Mar

6. CALORIES: Why Do They Matter?
Calories are obtained from food and beverages
Converted into energy
Make up the body’s metabolism (BMR)
CALORIES: Why Do They Matter?
It is important to understand why calories matter and what affect they have on body weight and management. Your body converts foods and liquids that are consumed into energy. Calories contained within these food and beverages, through biochemical processes, are joined with oxygen to produce and release the energy that is necessary for bodily functions.
The calories used are your basal metabolic rate (BMR) or in other words, your metabolism.
Mayo Clinic. (2010).Metabolism and weightloss: How you burn calories.

7. Calories resulting in weight gain
Weight gain = consuming more calories than the body burns
Awareness is Key
Individual caloric intake is vital
Obesity and unhealthy weight leads to numerous health risks
Weight gain is a result of in-taking more calories than what your body is able to burn. Therefore, it is imperative for an individual to be aware of their caloric intake. It is vital for people to be aware of the calories that they are consuming, and it is important for you to get involved in this change, in order to prevent high caloric intake and to maintain the health of our population.
Mayo Clinic. (2010).Metabolism and weightloss: How you burn calories.

8. Health risks of obesity
Diabetes
Hypertension
Cardiovascular Disease
Arthritis
Certain Cancers
High-Cholesterol
Obesity leads to a vast array of health conditions and chronic illnesses including but not limited to diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Severe obesity has been linked to a greater mortality rate in diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Each year 112,000 deaths are attributed to obesity and health costs for obese individuals are significantly higher by 25-27%.
112,000 annual deaths
25% to 27% higher healthcare costs
Lewis, K.K. & Doonan, M. (2007). Overweight and obesity in Massachusetts: Epidemic, hype or policy opportunity? The Massachusetts Health Policy Forum, p Jan07/Obesity%20Forum%20Policy%20Brief%20Mar

9. Obesity Defined Body Mass Index (BMI) defines Obesity
BMI 25 to 29.9 = Overweight
BMI 30> = Obesity
BMI for children defined by normal body with
differences in age and gender.
According to the Center for Disease Control, obesity is defined by the BMI, which is the Body Mass Index. An individual’s BMI does not measure their body fat but it correlates with body fat. Adults who show a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered to be overweight. If their BMI exceeds 30, they are considered obese. The BMI for children is calculated with different factors that assess normal fat between genders and age.
Center for Disease Control. (2010). Defining overweight and obesity. Retrieved on 14 Oct 2009.

10. posting calorie counts
Public is interested in accessibility of calorie information
Has shown slight reduction in individual calorie purchase
People are eating out more often
Underestimation of calories in out of home food purchases
Frequent eating out is related to weight gain and obesity
Some of you may be asking why is it important to post calorie counts. There has been evidence, conducted through research, that suggest posting of calorie counts as vital. This research has shown that the public is interested in the accessibility of such information. Some studies have suggested that posting calorie information on menus has led to a slight decrease in the calorie amount that individuals purchase. So why should this be a priority in your restaurant menus?
In the past years, there has been a drastic increase in away from home meal consumption. According to a research synthesis by Healthy Eating Research, frequent eating out, in particular at fast food chains, has been related to a vast weight gain and obesity. People underestimate the amount of calories that they eat at away from home meals leading them to make errors when menu items are actually high in calories.
Health Eating Research. (2009). Menu Labeling: Does providing nutrition information at the point of purchase affect consumer behavior? Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 1-11.
Nestle, M. (2010). Health care reform in action-calorie labeling goes national. The New England Journal of Medicine, 362(25),

11. Consumer attitudes
Adult consumers interested in availability of nutritional
information
60% of poll respondents support legislation
Responsibility of businesses to incorporate more nutritional
value to their meals
Informed decisions
Research conducted focus groups and surveys indicate that most adult consumers show interest in the availability of nutritional information, even if the available information is not used each time they go out to eat.
Legislation has been placed in most areas in regards to this topic. National poll results have shown that 60 % of poll respondents would support laws. These individuals felt that restaurants and businesses should take on the responsibility to incorporate nutritional value and quality in their menus. All in all, consumers would be able to make informed decisions.
Health Eating Research. (2009). Menu Labeling: Does providing nutrition information at the point of purchase affect consumer behavior? Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 1-11.

12. Legislation
Businesses with 20 or more locations
Adjacent to vending machines
Calorie information posted in clear and noticeable manner
Statement with suggested daily calorie intake ~2000kcal
There is current legislation that requires calorie information to be posted on menus and at point of sale purchases. The provision states that calorie counts need to be posted on menu boards of restaurants or next to vending machines. According to the new provision, it affects businesses with 20 or more nationwide locations. These locations need to have calorie information posted in a manner that is noticeable and clear. Furthermore, the suggested daily calorie intake of about 2000 calories is to be posted as a statement.
Nestle, M. (2010). Health care reform in action-calorie labeling goes national. The New England Journal of Medicine, 362(25),

13. affect on small business
If given the information people tend to purchase lower calorie
foods
Study of Adolescents Showed
20% modified their purchase, 46% chose lower calorie orders
Legislation will eventually effect YOUR business
Consumers will limit eating-out habits
Decrease in frequenting of high-calorie menu establishments
Although the new federal regulations do not affect smaller businesses, it is important for you to get involved. The new regulations are not enough to help control the epidemic of obesity and unhealthy eating. In a study conducted of adolescents, the results showed that given menus presenting nutritional information, 29% modified their order and 46% of these modified orders resulted in orders that were lower in calories.
If people are given this information, they tend to not purchase high calorie foods. The new legislation is bound to be modified and to affect all food-consumption businesses. With this information, you can begin to modify your menus to lower calorie and healthier nutritional choices prior to the legislation being in effect.
It has been shown that with nutritional information present, consumers will limit their eating out habits and decrease their frequenting establishments that offer a high-calorie menu.
Health Eating Research. (2009). Menu Labeling: Does providing nutrition information at the point of purchase affect consumer behavior? Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 1-11.

14. Be Ahead of the Game!
Federal regulations are bound to affect your business in the future. It is imperative for the nation to protect the health of the public and to create legislation that will cause awareness and informative decisions.
As stated before, consumers tend to underestimate the amount of calories in meals that they purchase. If it is not enough for you to want to involve yourself in providing a healthier and more nutritious menu to your consumers, then simply stay ahead of the game before future federal regulations can affect your business.
It is a vital time now, for you to provide a healthier menu so that consumers are more apt to continue business at your establishment.

15. Conclusion Obesity is on the rise in the U.S.
Severe health impacts and risks
Awareness is Key
Regulations may lead to healthier menu
options
Reduced calories in existing products
Informed decisions for the public
In the United States today, obesity is an issue that is greatly affecting the health of our populace. High caloric intake is often misunderstood or underestimated, leading to weight gain and obesity. Providing a public awareness to the amount of calories that are consumed in a purchased meal is vital to provide awareness to the public.
Through the implementation of menu labeling requirements, restaurants may be more apt to introduce healthier menu options and they may adapt existing menu options to reflect reduced calorie content. People will be making more informed decisions because the information will be available to them at point of purchase.
I hope that you find this information important to your business and I hope that it is clear why you should be involved in this change. I appreciate your time and attention and I welcome any questions at this time.

16. References
Center for Disease Control. (2010). Childhood overweight and obesity. Retrieved on 14 Oct 2010.
Center for Disease Control. (2010). Defining overweight and obesity. Retrieved on 14 Oct 2010.
Flegal, K.M., Carroll, M.D., Ogden, C.L., Curtin, L.R. (2010). Prevalence and Trends in Obesity Among US Adults, Journal of the American Medical Association,303(3),
Health Eating Research. (2009). Menu labeling: Does providing nutrition information at the point of purchase affect consumer behavior? Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 1-11.
Lewis, K.K. and Doonan, M. (2007). Overweight and obesity in Massachusetts: Epidemic, hype or policy opportunity? The Massachusetts Health Policy Forum, p Retrieved 21 Oct 2010.
Mayo Clinic. (2010).Metabolism and weightloss: How you burn calories. Retrieved 17 Oct 2010.
Nestle, M. (2010). Health care reform in action-calorie labeling goes national. The New England Journal of Medicine, 362(25),