Physical Wellness

Food Labels Should Show the Required Amount of Activity to Burn off the Calories

By Kanika Gupta | Update Date: Jan 19, 2016 12:06 PM EST

According to the latest idea proposed Royal Society of Public Health, the food labels should contain the activity required for burning off the calories after consumption of food and drink. It says that obesity is caused due to consumption of more calories than burning off. The activity symbols on the packs will encourage the customers to make healthy choices or exercise more often. As per the research, consumers find the current labels on the products can be overwhelming due to too much information. The attention span of a customer to look at a food before buying it is only 6 seconds. This means that the calorie information on the labels should be immediately comprehensible and easy to understand. RSPH recommended that pictorial icons on the pack as well as existing information will be very helpful, reported BBC News

The activity equivalent food labelling with inspire the consumers to get more active and help them understand the effects of food that they eat. It would mention the type of activity required and the duration to burn the equivalent calories, says Telegraph.

Shirley Cramer CBE, chief executive of the RSPH, said: "Although nutritional information provided on food and drink packaging has improved it is evident that it isn't working as well as it could to support the public in making healthy choices.

"Activity equivalent calorie labelling provides a simple means of making the calories contained within food and drink more relatable to people's everyday lives, while also gently reminding consumers of the need to maintain active lifestyles and a healthy weight.

"Given the responsibility of the food industry in tackling the obesity epidemic we believe activity equivalent calorie labelling could provide the nudge many people need to be more active and support their customers to make healthier choices," Wales Online reported.

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