extra reading on PACE Flashcards
pace labels
PACE Labels:
- Many studies have been conducted to look at the effect of PACE labelling. Antonelli and Viera (2015) investigated in 1000 adults across 47 US states whether PACE labels would be more beneficial at decreasing the number of calories ordered in fast food restaurants. In addition to the benefit of encouraging exercise.
o They found that PACE labels had a higher chance of reducing the amount of calories ordered in fast food meals as well as promoting exercise.
o 40% of participants said they were “very likely” to alter their food choice from PACE labels, compared to 28% from only calorie labels.
- Limitation:
o Survey based – answers were hypothetical (could be untruthful) – variables like hunger, costs, marketing and time pressure were unaccounted for which would be influential in real world settings
- Although both labels are beneficial at reducing calories being consumed, PACE labels seem to bring more benefit to what people chose to eat as well as the influence of persuading to exercise.
Delfino et al, (2018) – large sample of 10-17 year olds from both public and private schools randomly selected. Measured screen times on different devices and physical inactivity domains, eating habits and socioeconomic stats were assessed
Found –
- high use of videogames greater among boys and higher use of mobile phones were among girls.
- High use of computers was associated with fried food consumption and physical inactivity,
- mobile phone was associated with consumption of sweets.
- Cluster using screen devices showed associations with high consumption of snacks, fried foods and sweets even after controlling for confounding variables.
- The high use of screen devices was associated with high consumption of snacks, fried foods, sweets and physical inactivity in adolescents.
Daley 2023
Data were analysed descriptively and using logistic and multinomial regression analyses. 2,668/4,000 (67%) of those invited participated. More participants preferred traffic light (43%vs33%) than PACE labelling, but more reported PACE was easier to understand (41%vs27%) and more likely to catch their attention (49%vs31%). More participants thought PACE was more likely to help them avoid high calorie food than traffic light labelling (44%vs28%). Physically active (3–4 or 5+ days/week) respondents were more likely to report PACE would catch their attention than traffic light labelling, compared with less active participants
Deery et al., 2019
ResultsA total of 366 study participants were included in the analysis. In the PACE-label group, self-reported physical activity increased by 13–26% compared to the calorie-only label group. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) increased by 24 min per week in the PACE-label group compared to the calorie-label group (p = 0.06). Changes in accelerometer measured steps, sedentary time, and MVPA had modest increases. Change ranged from 1 to 12% with effect size values from 0.08 to 0.15. Baseline physical activity level significantly moderated the intervention effects for all physical activity outcomes. Participants in both label groups starting in the lowest tertile of activity saw the largest increase in their physical activity.ConclusionResults suggest small positive effects for the PACE labels on self-reported and objective physical activity measures. Minutes of weekly MVPA, strength training, and exercise activities showed modest increases. These results suggest that calorie-expenditure food labels may result in some limited increases in physical activity.
Melhouse 2021
The study found that every participant noticed at least one PACE label, and that healthier products attracted more visual attention than unhealthier products. The PACE labels were looked at longer and more intensely compared to the price labels of the products.
PACE labels were looked at longer and more intensely compared to price labels, and healthier products were observed significantly longer than unhealthier alternatives. ↓
The study found that PACE labels were perceived and actively remembered by the participants, and they were looked at longer and more intensely compared to the price labels. Healthier products attracted more attention than unhealthier products, and the general product choices were rather healthy. ↓
In regards to the health value of the products, the healthier products were observed significantly longer than those of the unhealthier alternatives; there was no significant difference between the fixations of their labels ↓
Our results show that research in real-world settings is possible; we recommend continuing researching the influence of PACE labels on purchase behavior, with wider target groups, at best between-subjects, to better distinguish different experimental effects
issues with PACE
Opponents of PACE labelling often point to the problem of placing responsibility on the individual or exacerbating existing eating disorders and it has been argued that calorie labelling may have unintended negative consequences for eating disorders (McGeown, 2019). These are important concerns. However, the problem of eating disorders, for example, is dwarfed by the overwhelming problem of the obesity epidemic. In England, around 3% of people aged 16 years or more experience eating disorders, while nearly one-third of adults (29%) are living with obesity (NHS Digital, 2020- However relative deaths of eating disorders are high, yet rates are lower than obesity because of population differences! Both are important!!=
Burney and Irwin 1999- feeling of guilt when eating is a risk associated with eating disorders, including anorexia- acknowledging the findings in the qualitative interviews is therefore important
Also, Iris et al., 2024- found using Qual interviews, children felt feelings of guilt associated with PACE labelling. Guilt being a risk of eating disorders
however, Daley et al., 2021- said there is no direct link to using PACE and an increase in eating disorders. However, PACE labeling has its challenges. Some experts argue that people might become desensitized to PACE information over time, which could diminish its long-term effectiveness (Daley et al., 2020)
physical limitations!
other study- showing no effct
Reynolds et al., 2022
intervention study on PACE in 10 worksite cafeterias, found no effect on energy purchased,
Of the 10 cafeterias, there were null results in five, significant reductions in four, and a significant increase in one
negatives- studying energy purchased not energy consumed-
social media and PACE
Todd 2022
This study investigates the use of Physical Activity Calorie Equivalent (PACE) labelling on social media as a tool to improve health behaviors and reduce obesity. It shows that while current food labelling strategies have limited impact on eating behaviors, PACE labelling may help individuals better understand the relationship between calories and physical activity, potentially leading to healthier food choices. The research included a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with 103 participants, who either received PACE information via social media or traditional calorie labelling. Results indicated that the PACE intervention was feasible and acceptable, with participants reducing discretionary food intake, losing a small amount of weight, and increasing physical activity. These findings suggest that using social media for PACE labelling could be an effective, scalable approach to tackling excess energy intake and obesity.
health concisioness and PACE
Montford et al., 2017
The study found that participants with high health consciousness (those more focused on their health) were significantly more likely to reduce their discretionary food intake when exposed to PACE information, compared to participants with low health consciousness. This indicates that health-conscious individuals are more responsive to the PACE labelling, suggesting that such interventions may be more effective for people who already have an interest in improving their health.
This finding is important because it points to a factor—health consciousness—that has been underexplored in food labelling research but can significantly influence the success of health interventions like PACE.
