The Effect of Caloric Labeling on Consumers Calorie Intake
School Name
Heathwood Hall
Grade Level
11th Grade
Presentation Topic
Consumer Science
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Oral Presentation Award
3rd Place
Abstract
While the addition of calorie count on restaurant menus may seem insignificant, previous studies have shown that the addition of calorie count can lead consumers to choosing a healthier meal. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the impact caloric labeling on a menu can have on a consumer's choices. The independent variable was the menu type, either labeled or not labeled. The dependent variable was the calorie intake. For this study the hypothesis was, if a menu includes calorie count, then the subjects viewing the menu will consume less calories than subjects ordering off the menu without calorie count. The null hypothesis was, if a menu includes calorie count, then the subject viewing the menu will consume the same number of calories as subjects ordering off the menu without calorie count. Out of the forty participants, the first 20 were asked to choose one entree and one drink off of a menu that had calorie labeling, and the other 20 participants were asked to choose one entree and one drink off the not labeled menu. Next, the calories ordered from participants off of the two menus were compared and a T-Test was conducted. The results suggest that on average, participants who had a menu with calorie count ordered fewer calories than participants ordering off of the not labeled menu. The results were proven to be statistically significant and the null hypothesis was rejected.
Recommended Citation
Nassab, Kate, "The Effect of Caloric Labeling on Consumers Calorie Intake" (2017). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 86.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2017/all/86
Location
Wall 210
Start Date
3-25-2017 12:30 PM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
The Effect of Caloric Labeling on Consumers Calorie Intake
Wall 210
While the addition of calorie count on restaurant menus may seem insignificant, previous studies have shown that the addition of calorie count can lead consumers to choosing a healthier meal. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the impact caloric labeling on a menu can have on a consumer's choices. The independent variable was the menu type, either labeled or not labeled. The dependent variable was the calorie intake. For this study the hypothesis was, if a menu includes calorie count, then the subjects viewing the menu will consume less calories than subjects ordering off the menu without calorie count. The null hypothesis was, if a menu includes calorie count, then the subject viewing the menu will consume the same number of calories as subjects ordering off the menu without calorie count. Out of the forty participants, the first 20 were asked to choose one entree and one drink off of a menu that had calorie labeling, and the other 20 participants were asked to choose one entree and one drink off the not labeled menu. Next, the calories ordered from participants off of the two menus were compared and a T-Test was conducted. The results suggest that on average, participants who had a menu with calorie count ordered fewer calories than participants ordering off of the not labeled menu. The results were proven to be statistically significant and the null hypothesis was rejected.
