Final published version
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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Acceptability and perceived harm of calorie labeling and other obesity policies
T2 - A cross‐sectional survey study of UK adults with eating disorders and other mental health conditions
AU - Putra, I Gusti Ngurah Edi
AU - Polden, Megan
AU - Wareing, Lettie
AU - Robinson, Eric
PY - 2023/11/15
Y1 - 2023/11/15
N2 - Objective: We assessed perceptions of recently proposed UK obesity policies (mandatory calorie labeling, banning of advertisements of unhealthy food and drinks online and before 9 pm on TV, and banning “buy one get one free” deals for unhealthy food and drinks) in people with an eating disorder (ED) and other mental health conditions. Method: A total of 1273 participants with a self‐reported lifetime mental health condition (N = 583 with an ED) completed an online survey in September–November 2022. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine support for and potential adverse effects of policies in participants with and without an ED. A qualitative analysis of the potential effects of the policy on current ED symptoms was also conducted to better understand how and why policies may be damaging or beneficial. Results: Participants with an ED had a lower level of support for the implementation of the calorie labeling policy compared to those without an ED (43% vs. 58%). Half of the participants with an ED (55%) reported that labeling may worsen their ED symptoms. Qualitative data indicated perceived potential harm (e.g., a gateway to relapse, negative effects on mood) and perceived benefits (e.g., feeling informed and reassured) of calorie labeling in participants with an ED. No differences in support or perceived harms of the other two policies were observed between participants with versus without an ED. Discussion: Future studies are warranted to explore the potential effects of calorie labeling and how to mitigate negative impacts on people with an ED. Public Significance: This research is the first to assess the perceptions of UK obesity‐related policies in people with an ED and other mental health conditions. Participants with an ED (vs. without) were more likely to disagree with the government implementing the calorie labeling policy. These findings highlight the potentially harmful effects of calorie labeling in people with an ED and the need for future research to understand how to mitigate negative impacts.
AB - Objective: We assessed perceptions of recently proposed UK obesity policies (mandatory calorie labeling, banning of advertisements of unhealthy food and drinks online and before 9 pm on TV, and banning “buy one get one free” deals for unhealthy food and drinks) in people with an eating disorder (ED) and other mental health conditions. Method: A total of 1273 participants with a self‐reported lifetime mental health condition (N = 583 with an ED) completed an online survey in September–November 2022. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine support for and potential adverse effects of policies in participants with and without an ED. A qualitative analysis of the potential effects of the policy on current ED symptoms was also conducted to better understand how and why policies may be damaging or beneficial. Results: Participants with an ED had a lower level of support for the implementation of the calorie labeling policy compared to those without an ED (43% vs. 58%). Half of the participants with an ED (55%) reported that labeling may worsen their ED symptoms. Qualitative data indicated perceived potential harm (e.g., a gateway to relapse, negative effects on mood) and perceived benefits (e.g., feeling informed and reassured) of calorie labeling in participants with an ED. No differences in support or perceived harms of the other two policies were observed between participants with versus without an ED. Discussion: Future studies are warranted to explore the potential effects of calorie labeling and how to mitigate negative impacts on people with an ED. Public Significance: This research is the first to assess the perceptions of UK obesity‐related policies in people with an ED and other mental health conditions. Participants with an ED (vs. without) were more likely to disagree with the government implementing the calorie labeling policy. These findings highlight the potentially harmful effects of calorie labeling in people with an ED and the need for future research to understand how to mitigate negative impacts.
KW - public health policy
KW - eating disorders
KW - obesity policy
KW - mental health
KW - calorie information
U2 - 10.1002/eat.24031
DO - 10.1002/eat.24031
M3 - Journal article
VL - 56
SP - 2049
EP - 2061
JO - International Journal of Eating Disorders
JF - International Journal of Eating Disorders
SN - 0276-3478
IS - 11
ER -