Most people affected by eating disorders believe the introduction of calories on menus has had a detrimental effect, a survey suggests. Charity Beat found that eight in 10 people (84%) with lived experience of an eating disorder said the listing of calorie content has negatively affected their recovery.
The poll marks a year since businesses with 250 or more employees in England, including cafés, restaurants and takeaways, have been required to display the calorie information of non-prepacked food and soft drinks prepared for customers as part of the Government’s drive to tackle obesity. The Scottish and Welsh Governments are considering similar legislation.
Some nine in 10 people (88%) said that seeing calorie counts affects their menu choices, with one respondent saying: “My anorexia latches onto these numbers and dictates what I eat: always the lowest-calorie option, making it even easier to lose the weight I can’t afford to lose.”
