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Interventions and public health nutrition

Effects of calorie labelling on macro- and micro-nutrients in main-meal choices made by young adults

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 70, pages 386–392 (2016)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

There is limited evidence that prominent calorie labelling on out-of-home meals helps consumers reduce calorie intakes and avoid weight gain, but no evidence on its effects on macro- and micro-nutrients. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of prominent calorie labelling on energy, macro- and micro-nutrients.

Subjects/Methods:

Young adults in a catered residential setting were observed when choosing main meals over three study periods in fixed order in this observational study. Period 1: with calorie labels (20 weeks); period 2: without calorie labels (10 weeks); period 3: with calorie labels plus information on estimated energy requirements (10 weeks). Nutrient contents of meal choices were analysed from food composition tables.

Results:

Energy, 4 macronutrients and 19 micronutrients levels were derived from 4200 meals chosen by 120 subjects over 40 weeks. Means (s.d. or Median) for key macro- and micro-nutrients were for period 1: energy=658 (94) kcal, fat=31 (8.6) g, saturated fat=10.5 (2.7) g, B12=2.5 (1.7) μg, folate=119 (46.8) μg, vitamin C=80.0 (42) mg, Ca=278 (129) mg, Na=1230 (119) mg, Fe=22 (10) g, Se=19 (10.1) μg, I=34 (10.1) μg, period 2: energy=723 (87) kcal, fat=35 (7.6) g, saturated fat=12 (2.7) g, B12=3.4 (1.7) μg, Folate=182 (13.3) μg, vitamin C=87.0 (49.7) mg, Ca=379 (149) mg, Na=1352 (114) mg, Fe=41.6 (14) g, Se=26 (10.3) μg, I=38.0 (18.4) μg, period 3: energy=578 (109) kcal, fat=27.3 (9.1) g, saturated fat=8.5 (2.7) g, B12=2.2 (0.5) μg, Folate=90 (50.8) μg, vitamin C=75.0 (34) mg, Ca=277 (119) mg, Na=1205 (99) mg, Fe=14.5 (10.9) g, Se=15.0 (10) μg, I=32.0 (18.4) μg. All macro- and micro-nutrients, except for B1, vitamin C, vitamin E and Ca were significantly different between the three periods (P<0.001), but all mean intakes remained above recommended levels.

Conclusions:

Calorie labelling resulted in reductions in calories, fat and saturated fat contents of the meals chosen, without compromising micronutrient consumptions.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the catering staff for assisting us in the conducting of this study. CKN conceived the idea, carried out the study, collected and analysed the data, written and reviewed the manuscript, CRH reviewed the manuscript, MEJL conceived the idea, analysed the data, wrote and reviewed the manuscript. CKN received a scholarship from the State Scholarship Foundation of Greece.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Nutrition Section, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Singapore

    C K Nikolaou, C R Hankey & M E J Lean

  2. Population Health and eHealth Unit, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanayang University and Imperial College, Singapore

    C K Nikolaou

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  1. C K Nikolaou
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Correspondence to C K Nikolaou.

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Nikolaou, C., Hankey, C. & Lean, M. Effects of calorie labelling on macro- and micro-nutrients in main-meal choices made by young adults. Eur J Clin Nutr 70, 386–392 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2015.175

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