Reduction seen in net cost savings from health care and societal perspectives; additional industry reformulation would increase policy impact<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter<\/b><\/p>\n
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WEDNESDAY, April 19, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Menu calorie labeling is associated with a reduction in obesity-related cancer burdens and lower health care costs, according to a study published online April 18 in BMJ Open<\/em>.<\/p>\n Mengxi Du, M.P.H., from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University in Boston, and colleagues conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis in a modelled population of 235 million adults aged 20 years and older in 2015 to 2016. The impact of menu calorie labeling on reducing 13 obesity-associated cancers was examined among U.S. adults over a lifetime considering effects on consumer behaviors and additional effects on industry reformulation.<\/p>\n The researchers found that among U.S. adults, the policy was associated with 28,000 new cancer cases and 16,700 cancer deaths averted, 111,000 quality-adjusted life years gained, and $1,480 million saved in cancer-related medical costs when considering consumer behavior alone. From health care and societal perspectives, the policy was associated with net cost savings of $1,460 million and $1,350 million, respectively. Policy impact would be substantially increased by additional industry reformulation. Among young adults, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic Black individuals, greater health gains and cost savings were predicted.<\/p>\n “Menu calorie labelling is associated with lower obesity-related cancer rates and reduced costs,” the authors write. “Policymakers may prioritize nutrition policies for cancer prevention in the USA.”<\/p>\n Two authors disclosed financial ties to the biopharmaceutical, nutrition, and other industries.<\/p>\n