Wootan Margo G, Osborn Melissa
Center for Science in the Public Interest, Washington, DC, USA.
Am J Prev Med. 2006 Mar;30(3):266-8. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2005.10.006.
Although obesity and poor dietary habits are complex multifactorial problems, away-from-home food has been identified as one likely and important contributor. Restaurants provide a growing and substantial portion of the average American's diet, yet the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA), which went into effect in 1994, explicitly exempts restaurants from most labeling requirements. Thus, this study examined the availability of nutrition information from the largest chain restaurants in the United States.
Between January and August 2004, we surveyed the 300 largest chain restaurants by telephone, e-mail, or examining company websites (response rate was 96%). The top chains, as ranked by revenue, were selected based on 2002 ratings in Restaurants and Institutions.
Fifty-four percent of the 287 largest chain restaurants made some nutrition information available. Forty-four percent had nutrition information for the majority of their standard menu items. We found no significant differences in the availability of nutrition information based on the size of the restaurant chain. Of those restaurants with nutrition information, 86% provided information on the company website.
The number of restaurants providing nutrition information has increased over the last 10 years. However, making informed and healthful food choices is hampered by the absence of nutrition information at many restaurants. Given the growing and significant role that away-from-home foods play in Americans' diets, the Surgeon General and the National Academies' Institute of Medicine recommend that nutrition information be available to customers at restaurants, and state legislatures and the U.S. Congress are beginning to address the issue.
尽管肥胖和不良饮食习惯是复杂的多因素问题，但外出就餐被认为是一个可能且重要的因素。餐馆在美国人日常饮食中所占的比例越来越大且相当可观，然而1994年生效的《营养标签与教育法》（NLEA）明确免除了餐馆的大多数标签要求。因此，本研究调查了美国最大的连锁餐馆提供营养信息的情况。
在2004年1月至8月期间，我们通过电话、电子邮件或查看公司网站对300家最大的连锁餐馆进行了调查（回复率为96%）。根据《餐馆与机构》2002年的评级，选取了按收入排名的顶级连锁餐馆。
在287家最大的连锁餐馆中，54%提供了一些营养信息。44%的餐馆为其大多数标准菜单菜品提供了营养信息。我们发现，连锁餐馆规模与营养信息提供情况之间没有显著差异。在提供营养信息的餐馆中，86%在公司网站上提供了相关信息。
在过去10年里，提供营养信息的餐馆数量有所增加。然而，许多餐馆缺乏营养信息，这妨碍了人们做出明智且健康的食物选择。鉴于外出就餐在美国人饮食中日益重要的作用，美国卫生局局长和美国国家科学院医学研究所建议餐馆应向顾客提供营养信息，州立法机构和美国国会也已开始着手解决这一问题。
