Purpose -The food standards agency recently encouraged catering companies in the UK to introduce calorie labelling on menus or at the point of purchase. The purpose of this paper is to report the feasibility of implementing such a scheme in a restaurant in the UK. Design/methodology/approach -A practical case study approach was adopted whereby all foods on the menu of a London-based five star hotel restaurant were analysed nutritionally. The menu presented the amount of calories, saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, fibre and sodium each dish contained. The issues surrounding the display of nutritional information on restaurant menus, perceived difficulties or barriers and resistance to the scheme by staff were documented qualitatively. Findings -Time constraints, and the consequential financial costs, were identified as being barriers that need to be surmounted if the scheme is to operate successfully. The scheme was also viewed as being of low priority by the restaurant operational team. Practical implications -The paper provides a greater understanding of the operational aspects of nutrition labelling in the catering industry. Originality/value -This paper adds practical knowledge to the limited literature that exists in relation to nutrition labelling in restaurants in the UK and identifies barriers that need to be overcome for such schemes to be widely implemented and successful.
Overweight and obesity in children are considered a world health problem. In Europe the incidence of obesity is high, although it has been reported that levels of obesity are lower in France than in the UK. This study aims to make a comparison of the incidence, and cultural/lifestyle-related factors that affect obesity in school-aged children living in England and France. The study was set in Monetier-les-Bains, France and South West London, UK. Ninety-eight French children and 105 English children were recruited for this cross-sectional quantitative study. Anthropometric measurements and a questionnaire were used to obtain data and information that included details on hobbies and physical activities, distance to school and travel arrangements. Chi squared and t-tests were used to statistically compare the data. The results showed a significant difference (P , 0.01) between the weights, body mass indexes and waist circumferences of French and English children. Furthermore, 32% of the English children were classified as overweight or obese, whereas none of the French children were. There were significant differences (P , 0.01) in the levels of out-of-school physical activity undertaken by the French children and that of the English children. The level of sedentary activity, television viewing and computer use was also significantly different (P , 0.01). Factors such as the role of food in French culture, the lack of fast food outlets in the studied area of France, distances walked to and from school and choice of physical activities and hobbies undertaken in and out of school are seen as the main positive influences on energy balance in the French children. These findings have highlighted areas worthy of intervention in the battle against obesity.
Bariatric surgeons have anecdotally reported changes in eating habits of obese people following gastric bypass surgery (GBS), which is believed to be the result of modified food and taste preferences as opposed to restrictions imposed by the bypass itself. Only limited systematic evidence available suggests that consumption of fatty foods is reduced while vegetable consumption increased following GBS (1) . This pilot study aimed to compare dietary intakes before and after GBS in a cross-sectional UK sample. Data were collected from patients at the Imperial Weight Centre in Charing Cross Hospital using a modified 3-d food diary that included questions on postprandial sensations. The diaries were included into routine pre and 8-week post-operative questionnaires. Data are available on twenty-four pre-operative patients and eleven post-bypass patients. Diaries were analysed using Dietplan6 software.As expected the bypass patients had significantly lower mean energy intakes 7937.04 (SD 3217.49) kJ/d in the pre-operative group and 5171.42 (SD 1958.11) kJ/d in post-bypass group, (P = 0.02). Although the number of grams of protein, fat and carbohydrate consumed were significantly lower in the bypass group, the relative contributions to energy intake from the macronutrients were unaltered, (P = 0.4). Following surgery it is recommended that the bypass patients take a multivitamin tablet, and as a result the post-bypass patients were consuming significantly more Cu, Zn, Se, vitamins B, D, E, B1, B2, B3, folate than the pre-operative patients. There were no significant differences in the mean amount of fruit and vegetables consumed between the groups: 2.8 (SD 1.1) and 2.5 (SD 1.2) portions/d for the preoperative and post-bypass groups, respectively. Postprandial sensation data indicated that a third of post-bypass patients reported feelings of nausea, particularly after the consumption of acidic foods or cheese.This pilot study did not find any change in dietary intake in terms of relative amounts of macronutrient intake following GBS. Sensation of nausea following intake of certain foods deserves further research. Increasing the sample size to provide reliable evidence on taste preferences and food choices of post-operative GBS patients is required, in order to provide appropriate dietetic advice.
Overweight and obesity in children is considered to be a world health problem. It is increasing in children of all ages and is of growing concern for governments across the globe. In Europe the incidence is high and current UK government data show that approximately 32 % of 2-15 year olds are obese or overweight (1) . Whilst levels of obesity are lower in France, incidence rates of overweight and obese children were approximately 17 % in 2006 (2) . The present study aims to make a comparison of the incidence and cultural and lifestyle factors that affect obesity in children living in England and France.Ninety-eight children from Monetier-les-Bains in France and 105 children from south west London, UK were invited to take part in the study. In total 146 children aged 3-12 years completed the study. Both groups had similar socio-economic backgrounds and were age matched. The anthropometric measurements taken were: weight; height; waist circumference. In addition, a questionnaire to assess background information, lifestyle, physical activity and food habits were given to the children as well as 7 d diet and physical activity diaries. c 2 and t tests were used to analyse the data. The results showed a significant difference (P < 0.01) between French and English children for weight, BMI, Z-scores and waist circumferences. Furthermore, 32 % of the English group were classified as overweight or obese compared with none of the French children. There were significant differences (P < 0.01) in the levels of out-of-school physical activity undertaken by the French children (2.30 (SD 0.73) h/d) and that of the English children (0.99 (SD 0.66) h). The level of sedentary activity, television viewing and computer use was also significantly different (French children 1.49 (SD 0.54) h, English children 3.09 (SD 2.3) h; P < 0.01). School dinners or a packed lunch were consumed by 95 % of English children, whereas it was usual for French children to go home. In addition, 99 % of the French children consumed homegrown produce compared with 1 % of the English children.Physical activity and consequently energy balance appear to be an important factor in the incidence of overweight and obesity between the French and English children. Factors such as the role of food in French culture, the emphasis on meals not snacks, the lack of fast-food outlets in the area of France studied, distances walked or cycled to and from school and choice of activities and hobbies undertaken are seen as the main positive influences on energy balance in the French children. These findings have highlighted areas worthy of intervention in the battle against obesity in the UK. 1. Foresight (2007) Tackling obesities: future choices-project report. http://www.foresight.gov.uk/OurWork/ActiveProjects/Obesity/KeyInfo/Index.asp 2. Summerbell C (2008) Are public health policies to tackle childhood obesity fair, safe and sensible?
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