Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is the reality, although people do not realise it. One measure which has proven effective in the US is where calories have been printed on menus. This research has shown customers consume 6% fewer calories on average once calories are listed on menus.

According to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, if calorie intake was reduced by 6% here, it would have a major effect on our obesity levels and, therefore, on our type 2 diabetes problem. Diabetes is nearly four times as common as all types of cancer combined and the risk soars as the pounds pile on. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland's recent report also revealed that 96% of consumers want calorie menu labelling in all or some food outlets.

I believe we could take it one step further. Labels displaying information about physical activity will allow people to realise the trade-offs with regard to high calorie foods, and thereby influence them to make choices of more healthy foods. A new study currently being conducted in North Carolina is examining whether adding the amount of walking it takes to burn off the calories in food items will lead to consumers making healthier choices. There are significant results which show that it would influence people's choices when it comes to eating healthy food.