Does the public really want menu-labeling in fast food restaurants?

BACKGROUND: Public health officials in California support legislation that would make it mandatory for large chain restaurants to list calorie information next to items on their menus. Yet, few studies have gauged the public's interests in menu labeling, especially among those who frequent fast food restaurants. METHODS: We administered a two-page questionnaire in English or Spanish sequentially to 639 respondents recruited at six public health centers in Los Angeles County in 2007. These centers are located in geographic regions with known clusters of fast food restaurants. The questionnaire asked about their awareness of calorie information in these restaurants and their willingness to use this information to make menu selections. RESULTS: Of the 639 respondents (survey response rate: 88%), 55% were female, 28% were African American, 43% were Latino, and 13% were White. The mean age of the sample was 35 years (SD 11.6). Fifty-four percent were overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9) or obese (BMI > 30); 74% reported visiting a fast food restaurant at least once in the past year and 22% had done so at least once a week; 19% remembered seeing any calorie information about food and drinks at these restaurants when deciding what to order. Nonetheless, 86% of the total sample thought it was important to have calorie information listed on the menu; 67% reported they would order food or drinks with fewer calories if the number of calories were listed next to the item; of these, 58% were overweight or obese. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate public support for menu-labeling, especially among those who are overweight or obese.