We are always glad to have new comments. We really want to hear other opinions, so I was so glad to hear Annette’s comments! Of course, it is impossible to solve the obesity epidemic in less than 500 words, and with my comments I really hoped to provoke some discussion. To respond to Annette, I agree with your calculations, 50 calories does add up when looked at over the long term. The NPD group (a private consumer trends organization) indicated that in 2006, 76% of meals in Canada are prepared in the home, and this value is anticipated to increase under the current economic climate. So only a very select population would be consuming three meals a day in a restaurant where the menu information would be presented.

Most consumer products come with a reasonably comprehensive nutrition facts panel. That said, we do not require nutrition facts panels for minimally processed consumer products (fruits, vegetables, meats) among a variety of other products (eg my favorite cheeses!). Should everything that passes our mouth come with the information required to make an informed decision? And beyond calories, what other information should a consumer need? Different stages of life, and disease states require different nutritional interventions. I fear information overload will discourage many people from investing the time needed for healthy decision-making.

I think the educational emphasis should be on”food, nutrition and health literacy”, in a healthy, culturally diverse, and non-orthorexic way. We severely undervalue the importance that food plays in our culture, health and economy. But I am sure there will be differing opinions! I really look forward to hearing from others about this issue!

50 calories difference over one meal equals 150 calories per day and 54, 750 calories over the course of a year and the equivalent of 15 pounds over a year assuming someone made the 50 few calories choice 3 times a day over the course of a year. While 50 calories less per meal at first seems unimportant, it adds up.

On the marketplace segment they did about calories in restaurant foods, people estimated the calorie content of foods significantly lower than the actual content. REstaurant food is richer and serving sizes are bigger so people incorrectly assume that the calorie levels they’ve seen on tools they might use at home or at the store are valid. They aren’t. While it is clear that sweeping changes are necessary to address obesity. It is wrong to suggest that informed choices won’t go a long way to alter the situation. Suggesting that 50 calories is the equivalent of walking an extra 10 minutes simplifies the problem to a one instance situation. We eat usually 3 times a day, if not more, so this seemingly innocent statement needs further digging.

That said, I’m sure it will be a shock to many to know how many calories they’re consuming in a fast food meal. Perhaps this in combination with education and other awareness campaigns will help?