Researchers: Simple Color-Coded Labels Effective at Promoting Healthy Eating

A program designed to encourage more healthful food choices through simple color-coded labels and the positioning of items in display cases was equally successful among all categories of employees at the Massachusetts General Hospital cafeteria, according to an article appearing in American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The team of Mass General researchers reported that the interventions worked equally well across all racial and ethnic groups and educational levels.

“These findings are important because obesity is much more common among Americans who are black or Latino and among those of low socioeconomic status,” says Douglas Levy, PhD, of the Mongan Institute for Health Policy at MGH, lead author of the AJPM report. “Improving food choices in these groups may help reduce their obesity levels and improve population health.”