Impact of out-of-home nutrition labelling on people with eating disorders: A systematic review and meta-synthesis

Nora Trompeter, Fiona Duffy, Imogen Peebles, Emily Wadhera, Kate Chambers, Helen Sharpe, Ellen Maloney, Dasha Nicholls, Ulrike Schmidt, Lucy Serpell, Tom Jewell*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Objectives: Mandatory nutrition labels for out-of-home food consumption have been introduced in several countries to curb rising obesity levels. However, concerns have been raised about the potentia lnegative impacts of such policies on individuals with eating disorders. This review aimed to summarise the literature on the impact of out-of-home nutrition labels on individuals with eating disorders or disordered eating. Design: A systematic search across eight databases was conducted up to 11th of October 2023. Data sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, Scopus and CINAHL. Unpublished studies were searched for on Google Scholar andPsyArXiv. Eligibility criteria: Studies were included if they assessed the impact of out-of-home nutrition labelling policies on individuals with eating disorders or disordered eating. Data extraction and synthesis: 538 studies were screened, of which 16 studies met inclusion criteria. Results: The reviewed studies included 5 experimental/quasi-experimental studies, 5 cross-sectional studies, and 6 qualitative/mixed methods studies. Across studies, eating disorder pathology was associated with noticing labels more frequently, paying more attention to caloric intake, and more frequent behaviour changes due to caloric values. The meta-synthesis identified 5 themes based on the qualitative findings, being drawn to calories, facilitating the eating disorder, reassurance, social eating, and frustration. Conclusions: The current review summarised the existing literature on the impact of out-of-home nutrition label policies on individuals with eating disorders. The evidence suggests that there is cause for concern regarding negative impacts, particularly for those with restrictive eating disorders, which should be explored further by research and considered by policy makers when making decisions on public health policies.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere000862
Pages (from-to)1-12
Number of pages12
JournalBMJ Public Health
Volume3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 Jan 2025

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • eating disorders
  • nutrition labels
  • calorie labels
  • obesity policies
  • obesity prevention

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