Calorie info cuts intake

CALORIE counts on a restaurant menu are far more likely to make women worry about their waistlines than men.

A Sydney study has found that dietary information, if clearly stated, encouraged women to order meals with 75 fewer calories, while for both sexes the average reduction was just 45. Overweight people were also more likely to take notice of the more calorific dishes listed, slashing their intake by 67 calories on average.

More than two-thirds of the studies showed diners went for less calorific options when the total was listed.