The Importance of Labeling the Calories - Essay Example

"The Importance of Labeling the Calories" is a significant example of a paper on food and nutrition. 
Americans drink and eat about 33% of their calories away from home. Ensuring calorie information is available on fast-food packages and menu as well as chain restaurant menus will assist consumers to make informed choices for their families and themselves. As obligated by law, FDA’s final rule for nutrition labeling in fast food companies and chain restaurants together with similar retail food establishments will give consumers clear and reliable nutrition information in a straight and available way for the foods they buy and eat for their families. Indicating calories on menus as well as menu boards and offering other nutrient information in written form in restaurants and food outlets will fill an essential information gap and assist consumers to make healthful and informed dietary choices.

Thesis statement

Fast-food companies and restaurants are marketing to people products without warning labels with proven health hazards. These companies can protect their customers and themselves by providing nutrition information that people need to choose their products. Labeling the calories contained in the food package can assist in preventing health hazards associated with certain kinds of foods but is it the responsibility of the companies, children, or parents to determine the kind of food consumed?

Proposal

Health experts agree that the link between health and diet is important. Eating habits can hurt or help overall well-being and health. Good eating behaviors entail being a smart shopper as well as selecting foodstuffs that reflect the Americans Dietary Guidelines. The food label was intended to assist individuals to choose foodstuffs for a healthy diet. By the use of the food label, one can compare the content of nutrient of similar foodstuffs, see how it fit into the overall diets, and comprehend the connection amid particular nutrients and diseases. I propose to be given a chance to present my findings on knowledge about caloric intake among individuals that consume packed feeds and how lack of labeling on food packages contributes to junk eating. This topic is of interest because many individuals who are introduced to eating fast foods at a tender age are prone to lifetime obesity and diabetes.

Currently, there are many emerging fast food companies, and most individuals are considering them because of their busy schedules. Recent research indicates that the money spent to treat diabetes has increased amicably because most children are developing type II diabetes secondary to poor dietary habits. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that diabetes accounts for 100 dollars billion yearly as compares to $2.6 billion in 1969. This cost can be reduced by increasing the awareness of consumers on their dietary needs and the effects of poor dieting. This can be done by labeling of food packages with caloric content information.

I will obtain more information from the literature sources listed below to compare my findings with the already published information. The reading materials talks about nutrition, eating habits, and topics related to my area of interest.

I purpose to conduct a cross-sectional study to find out if fast food companies do label their food packages. The research will also target the consumers of fast food to find out what is their personal responsibility in ensuring that they choose the foods wisely to avoid eating more or fewer calories that may pose a hazard to their health. This research will be relevant since the findings will help to inform the sellers of fast-foodstuffs on the importance of labeling the food packages; consumers on the need of looking at the labels before purchasing the products hence this will contribute to the reduction of the prevalence of diseases caused by poor diets.