Fast-Food Calories Underestimated

ChiroNexus reported a study published in the journal of the British Medical Association that documented that consumers underestimated the calories in their meals at fast food chains.

Researchers surveyed customers at McDonald's, Burger King, Subway, Wendy's, KFC, and Dunkin' Donuts in U.S. cities in the New England region, where regulations did not require nutritional information to be published on menu items.  The surveyed 1,877 adults of 330 school age children and 1,178 adolescents.

• all three groups underestimated their caloric intake
• adults averaged 836 calories but underestimated by 20%
• parents of young children underestimated kid's meals by 23%
• teens ate an average of 756 calories but underestimated it by 34%
• 25% of people estimated their meals to be at least 500 calories less than reality
• Subway customers underestimated the most

After caloric information regulations were put in place:

• customers reduced their intake by an average of 154 calories
• women were more likely to make better choices than men

The U.S Food and Drug Administration is expected to publish final regulations requiring all chain restaurants with at least 20 locations to post calorie information on menus.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309