Numeric and Traffic Light Calorie Labels on Cafeteria Menus: Noticing, Use, and Perceptions Among Young Adults

This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Current Developments in Nutrition following peer review. The version of record Lee, K., Hammond, D., Price, M., Hobin, E., Wallace, M., Olstad, D., Minaker, L., & Kirkpatrick, S. (2020). Numeric and Traffic Light Calorie Labels on Cafeteria Menus: Noticing, Use, and Perceptions Among Young Adults. Current Developments in Nutrition, 4(Supplement_2), 1719. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzaa064_009 is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzaa064_009.Objectives The objective of this study was to examine the impact of numeric versus interpretive calorie labelling on consumer noticing, use, and perceptions of labels. We hypothesized that due to their at-a-glance format, interpretive labels would outperform numeric labels. Methods Using a pre-post quasi-experimental controlled trial design, three campus cafeterias were randomized to receive numeric calorie labelling, traffic light labelling (i.e., red, amber, or green symbol indicating the number of calories), or no labelling for two weeks. Exit surveys were conducted with cafeteria patrons prior to (n = 949) and following (n = 1110) implementation of labels. Surveys queried sociodemographic characteristics, the details of the most recent cafeteria purchase, and noticing, use, and perceptions of labels. Chi-squared tests and multinomial logistic regression were used to determine the impact of format on label noticing, use, and perceptions. Results Label noticing increased from 23% to 43% among those exposed to numeric labels and 28% to 63% among those exposed to traffic light labels, compared to no change in the control (15%) (P 0.05). Conclusions Cafeteria patrons exposed to calorie labels reported noticing and using them, with higher salience for traffic light labels. The implementation of such interpretive labels at the point-of-purchase may provide cues to enable consumers to make informed choices, consistent with front-of-pack labels on packaged foods under consideration in many jurisdictions.Funder 1,Kirsten Lee is funded by an Ontario Graduate Scholarship ||. Funder 2, This study is funded by the Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research ||. Funder 3, an Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation Early Researcher Award held by Sharon Kirkpatrick

Availability, Location, and Format of Nutrition Information in Fast-food Chain Restaurants in Ontario, Canada

ABSTRACT Purpose: To assess the availability, location, and format of nutrition information in fast-food chain restaurants in Ontario. Methods: Nutrition information in restaurants was assessed using an adapted version of the Nutrition Environment Measures Study for Restaurants (NEMS-R). Two raters independently visited 50 restaurants, 5 outlets of each of the top-10 fast-food chain restaurants in Canada. The locations of the restaurants were randomly selected within the Waterloo, Wellington, and Peel regions in Ontario, Canada. Descriptive results are presented for the proportion of restaurants presenting nutrition information by location (e.g., brochure), format (e.g., use of symbols), and then by type of restaurant (e.g., quick take-away, full-service). Results: Overall, 96.0% (n = 48) of the restaurants had at least some nutrition information available in the restaurant. However, no restaurant listed calorie information for all items on menu boards or menus, and only 14.0% (n = 7) of the restaurants posted calorie information and 26.0% (n = 13) of restaurants posted other nutrients (e.g., total fat) for at least some items on menus boards or menus. Conclusions: The majority of the fast-food chain restaurants included in our study provided at least some nutrition information in restaurants; however, very few restaurants made nutrition information readily available for consumers on menu boards and menus. RÉSUMÉ Objectif. Évaluer la disponibilité, l'emplacement et le format de l'information nutritionnelle dans des chaînes de restauration rapide de l'Ontario. Méthodes. L'information nutritionnelle offerte dans les restaurants a été évaluée au moyen d'une version adaptée de la Nutrition Environment Measures Study for Restaurants (NEMS-R). Deux évaluateurs ont visité de manière indépendante 50 restaurants, soit 5 points de vente de chacune des 10 principales chaînes de restauration rapide au Canada. La localisation des restaurants a été sélectionnée au hasard dans les régions de Waterloo, de Wellington et de Peel, situées en Ontario, au Canada. Des résultats descriptifs sont pré-sentés quant à la proportion de restaurants qui offrent de l'information nutritionnelle en fonction de leur emplacement (p. ex. brochure), de leur format (p. ex. utilisation de symboles) et du type de restaurant (p. ex. service rapide de mets à emporter, restaurant à service complet). Résultats. Dans l'ensemble, 96,0 % (n = 48) des restaurants offraient au moins un certain niveau d'information nutritionnelle sur place. Cependant, aucun des restaurants ne présentait de renseignements sur les calories pour l'ensemble des articles offerts sur les menus ou les panneaux d'affichage des menus. Qui plus est, seulement 14,0 % (n = 7) des restaurants affichaient de l'information sur les calories et 26,0 % (n = 13) affichaient des renseignements sur des nutriments (p. ex. la teneur totale en matières grasses) pour au moins certains des articles apparaissant sur les menus ou les panneaux d'affichage des menus. Conclusions. La plupart des chaînes de restauration rapide comprises dans notre étude fournissaient au moins un minimum d'information nutritionnelle dans leurs restaurants. Cependant, très peu de restaurants rendaient cette information facilement accessible pour les consommateurs sur les menus et panneaux d'affichage des menus. (Rev can prat rech diétét. 2015;76:44-48

News media and the influence of the alcohol industry: an analysis of media coverage of alcohol warning labels with a cancer message in Canada and Ireland.

OBJECTIVE: Media coverage of alcohol-related policy measures can influence public debate and is often more aligned with interests of the alcohol industry than public health. The purpose of this study was to examine the framing of news coverage of alcohol warning label (AWL) initiatives that included a cancer message on alcohol containers in two different countries. Policy contexts and industry perspectives were also evaluated. METHOD: We identified and systematically reviewed news articles published between 2017-2019 covering an AWL academic study in Yukon, Canada, and labeling provisions in a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill in Ireland. Both included a cancer message. News stories were coded for media type and topic slant; inclusion of alcohol industry perspectives was examined using content analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 68.4% of media articles covering the Yukon Study (n = 38) and 18.9% covering the Ireland Bill (n = 37) were supportive of AWLs with a cancer message. The majority of articles in both sites presented alcohol industry perspectives (Yukon, 65.8%; Ireland, 86.5%), and industry arguments opposing AWLs were similar across both contexts. In articles with statements from industry representatives, the label message was frequently disputed by distorting or denying the evidence that alcohol causes cancer (n = 33/43). CONCLUSIONS: News coverage of AWLs with a cancer message was more supportive in Canada than Ireland, where alcohol industry perspectives were consistently foregrounded. Industry arguments opposing the cancer label bore similarities across contexts, often distorting or denying the evidence. Increasing awareness of industry messaging strategies may generate more critical coverage of industry lobbying activities and increase public support for alcohol policies

MicroRNAs Regulate Sleep and Sleep Homeostasis in Drosophila

Summary: To discover microRNAs that regulate sleep, we performed a genetic screen using a library of miRNA sponge-expressing flies. We identified 25 miRNAs that regulate baseline sleep; 17 were sleep-promoting and 8 promoted wake. We identified one miRNA that is required for recovery sleep after deprivation and 8 miRNAs that limit the extent of recovery sleep. 65% of the hits belong to human-conserved families. Interestingly, the majority (75%), but not all, of the baseline sleep-regulating miRNAs are required in neurons. Sponges that target miRNAs in the same family, including the miR-92a/92b/310 family and the miR-263a/263b family, have similar effects. Finally, mutation of one of the screen’s strongest hits, let-7, using CRISPR/Cas-9, phenocopies sponge-mediated let-7 inhibition. Cell-type-specific and temporally restricted let-7 sponge expression experiments suggest that let-7 is required in the mushroom body both during development and in adulthood. This screen sets the stage for understanding the role of miRNAs in sleep. : To examine the role of microRNAs in sleep, Goodwin et al. screened a Drosophila microRNA sponge library, identifying 25 microRNAs that regulate sleep. The majority of these were from families well conserved in vertebrates. Let-7, a strong hit from the screen, has both adult and developmental roles. Keywords: sleep homeostasis, let-

Improving Knowledge that Alcohol Can Cause Cancer is Associated with Consumer Support for Alcohol Policies: Findings from a Real-World Alcohol Labelling Study

Knowledge that alcohol can cause cancer is low in Canada. Alcohol labels are one strategy for communicating alcohol-related harms, including cancer. Extending existing research observing an association between knowledge of the alcohol–cancer link and support for alcohol policies, this study examined whether increases in individual-level knowledge that alcohol is a carcinogen following an alcohol labelling intervention are associated with support for alcohol polices. Cancer warning labels were applied to alcohol containers at the intervention site, and the comparison site did not apply cancer labels. Pre-post surveys were conducted among liquor store patrons at both sites before and two-and six-months after the intervention was stopped due to alcohol industry interference. Limiting the data to participants that completed surveys both before and two-months after the cancer label stopped, logistic regression was used to examine the association between increases in knowledge and support for policies. Support for pricing and availability policies was low overall; however, increases in individual-level knowledge of the alcohol-cancer link was associated with higher levels of support for pricing policies, specifically, setting a minimum unit price per standard drink of alcohol (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.11–3.12). Improving knowledge that alcohol can cause cancer using labels may increase support for alcohol policies. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/1632

Evaluation of the online Beverage Frequency Questionnaire (BFQ)

Abstract Background The contribution of beverages to overall diet is of increasing interest to researchers and policymakers, particularly in terms of consumption of drinks high in added sugars; however, few tools to assess beverage intake have been developed and evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate the relative validity of a new online Beverage Frequency Questionnaire (BFQ) among young adults in Canada. Methods A cross-sectional relative validation study was conducted among young adults aged 16–30 years (n = 50). Participants completed a 17-item BFQ, a 7-day food record (7dFR), and a single-item measure of sugary drink intake. Pearson correlations and paired t-tests were used to evaluate correlation and agreement between the measures for 17 individual beverage categories, total drink consumption, total alcoholic beverage consumption, and two definitions of drinks with excess sugars. Cognitive interviews were conducted to examine participant interpretation and comprehensiveness of the BFQ. Results Estimates of beverage intake based on the BFQ and the 7dFR were highly correlated, specifically for the total number and volume of beverages consumed, total alcoholic beverage consumption, sugary drink intake, and each of the 17 beverage categories with 3 exceptions: coffee or tea with sugar or cream, specialty coffees, and hard alcohol with caloric mix. Paired t-tests between the BFQ and the 7dFR indicated that the average reported volume was significantly different only for sweetened fruit drinks. The single-item measure of sugary beverage intake was not significantly correlated with the 7dFR. Cognitive interviewing demonstrated high comprehension levels, and confirmed the appropriateness of the BFQ beverage categories and sizes. Conclusions Overall, the results suggest that the BFQ performed well relative to a 7dFR and had high usability among this study population, indicating its promise for collecting population-level data on beverage intake, including sugar-sweetened beverages, which are known indicators of diet and health