Spring Break
In your face!
Knowing our food could lead to a slimmer America
Andrea Robertson
Issue date: 7/23/08 Section: Opinion
Restaurant chains in New York City are now required to post their foods' caloric information on their menus so that customers can clearly see what they are taking in.
This new rule, which is unique to the Big Apple, is part of an anti-obesity campaign that was launched in 2006. However, due to court battles, the rules of the campaign were redrafted multiple times preventing them from coming into full affect until now.
Chains in New York City, such as McDonalds and Burger King, who have had their nutritional information displayed on Web sites and tray liners, have now replaced their old menus with new menus containing the food items' calories.
After previous lawsuits against fast food chains, in which plaintiffs blamed their weight gain on the lack of information about fat content and calories, posting the calories next to the desired item is a positive change. No longer will people be able to rely on the excuse of ignorance while they enjoy their 1,130-calorie meal.
With caloric-ignorance demolished, New York customers will also be able to take a more active approach against obesity. People will have the opportunity to make an informed decision regarding a 293-calorie ham sub from Subway or a 540-calorie Big Mac.
If New York City has passed legislation requiring their city's fast food chains to post caloric information on their menus, perhaps it is time for North Carolina and other jurisdictions to follow suit.
North Carolina has also adopted its own anti-obesity campaign with programs like "Get Kids Into Action." This program was created in partnership by the University of North Carolina and Gatorade with the goal of ending childhood obesity.
According to research gathered by Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina, and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2006, 60.8 percent of North Carolina citizens were either overweight or obese. North Carolina was also found to have the fifth highest national rate of overweight children.
This new rule, which is unique to the Big Apple, is part of an anti-obesity campaign that was launched in 2006. However, due to court battles, the rules of the campaign were redrafted multiple times preventing them from coming into full affect until now.
Chains in New York City, such as McDonalds and Burger King, who have had their nutritional information displayed on Web sites and tray liners, have now replaced their old menus with new menus containing the food items' calories.
After previous lawsuits against fast food chains, in which plaintiffs blamed their weight gain on the lack of information about fat content and calories, posting the calories next to the desired item is a positive change. No longer will people be able to rely on the excuse of ignorance while they enjoy their 1,130-calorie meal.
With caloric-ignorance demolished, New York customers will also be able to take a more active approach against obesity. People will have the opportunity to make an informed decision regarding a 293-calorie ham sub from Subway or a 540-calorie Big Mac.
If New York City has passed legislation requiring their city's fast food chains to post caloric information on their menus, perhaps it is time for North Carolina and other jurisdictions to follow suit.
North Carolina has also adopted its own anti-obesity campaign with programs like "Get Kids Into Action." This program was created in partnership by the University of North Carolina and Gatorade with the goal of ending childhood obesity.
According to research gathered by Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina, and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2006, 60.8 percent of North Carolina citizens were either overweight or obese. North Carolina was also found to have the fifth highest national rate of overweight children.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
john odumosu
posted 7/24/08 @ 6:47 PM EST
I honestly do not think that would change anything, overindulgence is a problem of self-control (or the lack of it) not necessarily ignorance!
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