Abstract
Objective; Policies mandating calorie labelling in hospitality settings are implemented worldwide as an anti-obesity measure. Limited research explores how these policies affect individuals with eating disorders. This study used a hypothetical ordering scenario to examine behavioural and psychological outcomes in those reporting diagnoses of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.Method; 147 adults with self-reported eating disorder diagnoses completed a hypothetical ordering task, randomised between two experimental conditions containing a calorie-labelled or calorie-omitted menu. Participants were asked to select items as if dining with a friend. Measures of eating disorder psychopathology, calories selected, self-criticism and body image satisfaction were taken. Qualitative data was collected on intent to consume entire portions and if calories influenced decision making.
Results; A significant interaction was found between diagnosis and calorie-labelling. The anorexia nervosa group ordered significantly fewer calories when exposed to a calorie-labelled menu (p = .005). No significant differences were found for the bulimia nervosa group (p = .050) nor for self-criticism (p = .508) or body image satisfaction (p = .966) ratings between experimental conditions.
Conclusions; Calorie labelling may exacerbate restrictive behaviours in those with anorexia nervosa and serious considerations should be given to potential harms of anti-obesity policy on this vulnerable group.
| Date of Award | 10 Sept 2025 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Jasmin Langdon-Daly (Supervisor) & Vicki Weare (Supervisor) |
Keywords
- alternative format
- eating disorders
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- Standard