Dartblog

In January, the New York City Board of Health voted unanimously to force chain restaurants in the city to disclose calories counts for their menu items. Many lauded this move as just one more way that government can help encourage its citizens to eat healthier, but it has numerous pitfalls. Aside from creating citizens more dependent on government interference in a matter that is inherently personal, it adversely affects the health of those with eating disorders.

Marcia Herrin, founder of the Dartmouth College Eating Disorders Prevention, Education and Treatment Program, considered the posting of calorie counts in Dartmouth dining facilities about 10 years ago.

“We decided not to post calories because students struggling with eating disorders said very plainly that this information would cause them harm…Students recovering from eating disorders found that not having the calories listed helped them overcome their obsession and fear of calories…I often have them practice eating in Dartmouth’s dining hall so they can handle joining friends for a nice dinner at an off-campus restaurant, or getting ready for the family Thanksgiving dinner. Most restaurants (especially nice ones) don’t publish calorie counts, and of course neither do families.”

In the end then, government must choose which citizens to protect. Though I know Zak disagrees with me, I have always been inclined to support bans on smoking in restaurants. Second hand smoke is highly dangerous for those around it, bothering people with asthma and creating risks of lung cancer. Smoking itself has no health benefits of which I am aware. With these facts in hand, it seems perfectly reasonable to me for government to make the eating environment healthier for workers and patrons alike.

Calorie posting is clearly a separate issue. Does it really make the average American ordering that Bloomin’ Onion at Outback Steakhouse rethink the 2,310 calories it carries? Or does it push those already suffering from food obsessions to purging after a nice meal with friends? I would argue for government to remain out of the business of policing calories. If a person chooses to make unhealthy eating choices and becomes obese, they affect only their own health. American adults are perfectly capable of choosing their meals, and if that includes asking for the calorie count on their own, then they are perfectly capable of doing so. Living with an eating disorder is difficult enough without government exacerbating their calorie counting obsession.

ZAK Adds: Here are two articles about the socially contagious nature of obesity from the BBC here (citing research at Dartmouth College) and the International Herald Tribune here, which begins with the words “Obesity can spread from person to person, much like a virus.” Perhaps cigarettes and fatty foods are not so different after all, certainly the core principle at the heart of both issues is personal responsibility.