Prevention Matters

Do consumers notice it when restaurant chains post calorie counts on their menu boards? Data from New York City suggest that they do.

Citing information from the NYC Department of Health, the Boston Globe reports that two-thirds of New Yorkers who dined at chains such as McDonald's or Starbucks said they look at the calorie listings. And about 1 in every 4 diners who paid attention said the information influenced what they ordered.

For a year now, New York City has required restaurant chains to post calorie totals for menu items. Massachusetts is considering doing the same thing.