The Way Calories Are Displayed on Restaurant Menus May Not Affect Calorie Intake: Evidence from an Online Experiment.

ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: Menu calorie labeling policies aim to promote healthier eating habits, yet their effectiveness remains debated. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of two alternative qualitative labeling strategies-Physical Activity Calorie Equivalent (PACE) labels and Percent Daily Intake (PDI) pie charts-compared to the standard numeric calorie count mandated in several countries, since they have been proposed to enhance consumer comprehension and decision-making. Methods: A nationwide online survey elicited responses from N = 885 individuals living in Italy. Survey participants were randomly assigned to one of three menu conditions: (1) numeric calorie labeling only, (2) numeric calories plus PACE labels, or (3) numeric calories plus a PDI pie char

SUBMITTER: Migliavada R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12693276 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature