The impact of using physical activity calorie equivalent (PACE) labelling in reducing calorie consumption

The world is facing an obesity crisis, with billions of adults classified as overweight or obese.It is wellestablished that lowering calorie intake and boosting physical activity leads to sustainable weight loss.Consequently, physical activity calorie equivalent (PACE) food labels have been proposed to enhance awareness of the calorie content in foods.This study aimed to assess the impact of PACE food labelling on food choices.Four hundred and twenty-two Saudi adults aged over 18 years completed an online questionnaire between March and April 2022.The survey consisted of four sections: Demographics, physical activity, nutritional information, and the effect of food labels on choices.It also investigated the likelihood of consuming foods marked with calorie and PACE labels.Of the 422 participants, most (51.4%, n = 205) indicated they would check calorie information when ordering food at a restaurant.The majority of individuals responded that menu labelling affects their decisions on what to buy when eating out (51.7%, n = 106).There was a significant difference between the groups using different food labels; participants who referred to PACE labels made healthier food choices compared to those who used calorie labels.This research showed that when eating out at restaurants, most participants actively check calorie information, indicating a strong interest in understanding the nutritional content of their meals.Additionally, most participants noticed calorie counts for items they were considering ordering.Moreover, menu labelling significantly influences participants' decisions regarding what to order, highlighting the importance of providing clear nutritional information to assist individuals in making informed choices about their food selections.