The menu labeling program was sponsored by South Los Angeles Healthy Eating Active Communities (HEAC). HEAC will also unveil a website that has the larger goal of making healthier food available to those across South L.A Studies show that menu labeling can prevent 38.9% of annual weight gain. According to Dr. Jonathan Fielding, Director of Public Health for Los Angeles County (LADPH), "menu labeling represents a vitally important strategy for controlling the obesity epidemic and improving the public's health." With this in mind, HEAC created the Menu Label program, partnering with Area Health Office SPA 5 & 6 of LADPH and local restaurants to provide customers with nutrition and calorie information to make informed meal choices. Posting calorie information on menu boards and providing calorie and other nutritional information on printed menus has not only helped patrons eat better but also inspired restaurants to develop more nutritious offerings and improve their business practices. To extend the success of the project, HEAC is launching www.menulabel.com so that other independent restaurant owners can learn about the benefits of menu labeling and work to incorporate these important health promotion tools into their operations.
About HEAC
Healthy Eating, Active Communities(HEAC) shows how communities can reshape the food and physical activity environment to improve children's health. Schools, community groups and public health departments collaborate at HEAC sites in six low-income communities. The programis a 6-year, multi-million dollar program sponsored by The California Endowment, and administered by the Partnership for the Public's Health.
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