Data only works when people choose to use it

However, consumers have a right to know what they are eating

Earlier this month, an Obama-era calorie count requirement went into effect for chain restaurants. The regulation requires any eatery with 20 or more locations to post calorie counts and nutritional information on their menus.

The goal is to help people make informed choices about what they consume, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says, which in turn helps people control their weight. The FDA notes that calories must be listed in close proximity and clearly associated with the menu item, and businesses must be able to provide, upon customer request, more detailed information including fat, sugars and protein counts.

The question is, how many people will actually take the time to compare their options? Will people actually change their choices based on the calorie counts, or will they simply ignore the numbers?

The reality is, people who want to use the information can, and those who want to ignore it, have that option as well.

Approximately 40 percent of the American population is obese, the FDA reports, which leads to an increased risk for heart disease, stroke, certain cancers and diabetes. There is a need to do something to bring those numbers down.

The FDA notes that up to one-third of a person’s caloric intake happens outside of the home, and that “research shows that people often underestimate the number of calories they’re taking in when they eat out.”

Calorie counts can be an effective tool for people who are willing to look at them. It could be the difference between someone choosing grilled chicken vs. breaded chicken, for example, helping Americans make healthier choices, or at least providing them the tools to do so.

And ultimately, whether or not people choose to use them, restaurant patrons have a right to know what, exactly, they are consuming. Calorie counts provide transparency to something that otherwise would remain a mystery.

What are your thoughts on the new calorie count requirement? Will you use the information or not? Let us know. Share your thoughts online at www.YumaSun.com, or send us a Letter to the Editor at letters@ yumasun.com.