New research conducted by British experts has revealed that calorie counts displayed on restaurant menus can trigger relapses in patients suffering from eating disorders. Since the introduction of new laws in April 2022, cafes and restaurants are required to display calorie labels on their food items to promote healthier choices and curb obesity rates. However, these laws have faced criticism for their negative impact on individuals with eating disorders, with campaigners arguing that they cause distress to those already battling mental illnesses.
Approximately 1.2 million people in the UK suffer from eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. These disorders create an unhealthy fixation on food and calories, leading to dangerous fluctuations in weight. To study the potential harm of calorie counts, mental health experts from York St John University and the Open University surveyed 399 eating disorder patients. The participants were asked about their experiences with calorie counts on menus since the policy was implemented, and an alarming 91% reported that their symptoms worsened.
The study, published in the British Journal of Health Psychology, included detailed responses from participants. Many expressed that the distress caused by the policy led them to completely avoid eating out. Some stated that they now spend excessive amounts of time searching for the least calorie-dense options. One individual shared, “Every enjoyment of eating out has now gone, which has led to an overflow of emotions about what I eat at home, too.”
For some sufferers, looking at calorie labels triggered relapses and intensified disordered eating behaviors such as restricted diets and bingeing. One patient compared the initial release of calorie counts to “Christmas for my eating disorder,” acknowledging the unhealthiness and unhelpfulness of fixating on this information.
Dr. Ellie Cannon, a prominent critic of the policy, warns that calorie counts can be detrimental to individuals vulnerable to or recovering from eating disorders. She emphasizes that these labels create anxiety about eating and may lead some people to consume fewer calories than necessary, hindering their recovery and ability to eat based on their natural appetite.
The researchers behind the study argue that their findings provide evidence that calorie labels are negatively impacting individuals with eating disorders. They suggest that menus with calorie information should be available but not the first or only option provided.
Recently released NHS figures reveal that the number of under-18s seeking treatment for eating disorders has doubled since 2016, with an 84% increase in hospitalizations for these illnesses among young people. Shockingly, almost half of urgent cases are waiting for more than three months to receive NHS treatment.
Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, urges the government to address the potential drivers of disordered eating in response to these findings. It is crucial to consider the detrimental effects of policies like calorie counts on individuals with eating disorders and prioritize their mental and physical well-being.
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