Effect of mandatory calorie display at restaurants in Saudi Arabia on children and adolescents’ food choices

ABSTRACT Background: Mandatory menu calorie labeling in restaurants is gaining popularity around the world as a beneficial strategy for promoting balanced energy consumption and encouraging healthier meal choices to lower obesity rates. Until now, calorie labeling effects on food purchasing are unclear. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the calorie label-based purchasing, awareness, and factors that affect school-age children and adolescents in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: An online questionnaire with simulated restaurant menus was distributed to determine the costumer’s behavior toward food purchasing. We targeted 431 school-aged children and adolescents (ages ranging from 7 to 18 years old). Results: Approximately half of participants (51%) noted the calorie labeling on the menu, although only 17% made a purchase based on the calorie labeling, and those who exercise regularly were more calorie-based purchasers in this study (P < 0.001). The association between knowledge and calorie label-based purchasing was significant. When the level of knowledge was compared to other demographic characteristics, it was determined that father’s education (P = 0.040) and physical activity (P = 0.015) showed a significant association even though nutrition education was provided to only 29% of participants in schools. Conclusions: The collected data clarifies children’s and adolescents’ attitudes toward calorie labeling, in addition to the other factors that influence restaurant ordering decisions.