Big Apple gets tough with fast food restaurants

New York is getting serious when it comes to tackling obesity, as from last weekend restaurants in the Big Apple now must state calorie information on their menus.

Health experts support the move and say it may make people more aware of the number of calories in restaurant meals and lead people to revise their eating habits.

Obesity, heart disease, diabetes and other related health problems have reached epidemic levels in many countries and experts say a revision of lifestyle habits where healthy diets and physical activity play a role will have a significant effect on these health issues and a positive impact on lives.

A study carried out last year found 30 percent of New Yorkers were consuming more than 1,000 calories at lunchtime.

Experts say in terms of outcomes the new ruling has the potential to prevent at least 150,000 New Yorkers from becoming obese and prevent at least 30,000 from developing diabetes over the next five years.

They say seeing it with their own eyes may make people consider what they are eating and listing the calorie content of food on menus could also have a positive impact on the number of people suffering from conditions influenced or triggered by eating habits.

The theory is that even though many are aware that most fast-food contains excessive calories, until it is listed there on the menu, most will carry on eating it.

The health code provision which is a first for a U.S. city, applies to businesses with at least 15 establishments nationwide, and had been delayed when the New York State Restaurant Association contested the new legislation.

It will affect restaurant chains such as McDonald's, Burger King, Applebee's, Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks and Subway and follows the city's 2003 ban on public smoking and a ban on the use of trans fats which came into effect on July 1st.

Restaurants failing to comply face fines of thousands of dollars from health inspectors who will carry out periodical checks.