Schools and chain restaurants should be required to post caloric information beside menu items to arm consumers with the knowledge needed to make healthier choices as part of the growing battle against obesity, the Ontario Medical Association proposed yesterday.
The doctors' group wants school pupils to be able to see the number of calories in a slice of pizza, a basket of French fries or a ham-and-cheese sandwich listed beside the price of the item.
It's critical to educate young people about their bodies' energy requirements and the nutritional content of food, particularly as childhood obesity reaches epidemic proportions in Canada and many other developed nations, the OMA said.
I'm afraid I don't think that would work. I just don't see kids paying much attention to a seemingly meaningless number on a food item. I have a better idea. Why not indicate the relative calories in products using visual aids? I suggest something like the following scheme posted on packaging, menus or walls (click to enlarge):
Now, that's language students can easily understand and appreciate!
