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You're likely to order more calories at a 'healthy' restaurant
August 30, 2007An important new study from the Journal of Consumer Research explains the "American obesity paradox": the parallel rise in obesity rates and the popularity of healthier food. In a series of four studies, the researchers reveal that we over-generalize "healthy" claims. In fact, consumers chose beverages, side dishes, and desserts containing up to 131% more calories when the main dish was positioned as "healthy".
"In our black and white view, most food is good or not good," explain Pierre Chandon (INSEAD, France) and Brian Wansink (Cornell University). "When we see a fast-food restaurant like Subway advertising its low-calorie sandwiches, we think, 'It's OK: I can eat a sandwich there and then have a high-calorie dessert,' when, in fact, some Subway sandwiches contain more calories than a Big Mac."
In one study, Chandon and Wansink had consumers guess how many calories are in sandwiches from two restaurants. They estimated that sandwiches contain 35% fewer calories when they come from restaurants claiming to be healthy than when they are from restaurants not making this claim.
The result of this calorie underestimation" Consumers then chose beverages, side dishes, and desserts containing up to 131% more calories when the main course was positioned as "healthy" compared to when it was not-even though, in the study, the "healthy" main course already contained 50% more calories than the "unhealthy" one.
"These studies help explain why the success of fast-food restaurants serving lower-calorie foods has not led to the expected reduction in total calorie intake and in obesity rates," the authors write.
What should people and health agencies do" In the final study, the researchers show that encouraging people to examine whether the restaurant's health claims actually apply to the particular food they ordered eliminates the "health halo" effects.
As they explain: "More generally, we need to think about food not just qualitatively (as in "good food - bad food") but also quantitatively (as in "how many calories are in this meal"")."
University of Chicago Press Journals
The result of this calorie underestimation" Consumers then chose beverages, side dishes, and desserts containing up to 131% more calories when the main course was positioned as "healthy" compared to when it was not-even though, in the study, the "healthy" main course already contained 50% more calories than the "unhealthy" one.
"These studies help explain why the success of fast-food restaurants serving lower-calorie foods has not led to the expected reduction in total calorie intake and in obesity rates," the authors write.
What should people and health agencies do" In the final study, the researchers show that encouraging people to examine whether the restaurant's health claims actually apply to the particular food they ordered eliminates the "health halo" effects.
As they explain: "More generally, we need to think about food not just qualitatively (as in "good food - bad food") but also quantitatively (as in "how many calories are in this meal"")."
University of Chicago Press Journals
Obesity Current Events and Obesity News RSSPatient's weight not linked to success of fibroid surgery
Obese patients are no more likely to have post-operative complications than those of average weight when undergoing robotic surgery to remove uterine fibroids, according to a study at Henry Ford Hospital.
Scripps research scientists find new link between insulin and core body temperature
A team led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have discovered a direct link between insulin-a hormone long associated with metabolism and metabolic disorders such as diabetes-and core body temperature.
Night Beat, Overtime and a Disrupted Sleep Pattern Can Harm Officers' Health
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Fat collections linked to decreased heart function
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Queen's University researcher Steven Lehrer has won a prestigious international award in recognition of his contributions to health economics.
Playing sport up to the end of pregnancy is healthy for the baby and the mother
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Harvard nutrition expert offers family physician group no-cost alternative to funding from Coca-Cola
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New paper describes connections between Circadian and metabolic systems
A paper by University of Notre Dame biologist Giles Duffield and a team of researchers offers new insights into a gene that plays a key role in modulating the body's Circadian system and may also simultaneously modulate its metabolic system.
Aileron collaborates study in Nature: Stapled peptides inhibit Notch1 transcription factor
This research validates the potential for Stapled Peptides to modulate key intracellular biological targets, such as transcription factors, that have not been addressable with current small molecule or biologic drug modalities.
Worksite wellness programs may reduce employee absenteeism
Emory University Rollins School of Public Health researchers will present Nov. 11 on a range of topics at the American Public Health Association's annual meeting in Philadelphia, including a study that found reduced absenteeism among employees participating in a large-scale worksite wellness program.
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