Following the announcement of the Government’s new obesity strategy, including proposals to add calorie labelling to restaurant menus, author and campaigner Hope Virgo has written an open letter to Matt Hancock (Secretary of State for Health and Social Care) and Duncan Selbie (Chief Executive, Public Health England).
In it, the undersigned highlight that such measures may be both ineffective in addressing obesity, and highly damaging to people experiencing or at risk of developing an eating disorder.
Dear Duncan Selbie and Matt Hancock MP,
RE: Remove calorie labels from restaurant menus
We are writing to you about the recently launched plan to tackle obesity. While we welcome the intention behind the strategy and support its desired outcomes, we are disappointed by the emphasis that the strategy places on numbers, weight and calorie counting – rather than on education and empowerment.
With an estimated 1.25 million Brits suffering from eating disorders, what is proposed as a “common-sense approach” – focusing on weight and calorie counting – is incredibly destructive. Indeed, this approach stands in stark contradiction to the approach favoured by clinicians who seek to avoid a scrupulous and psychologically damaging focus on weight, calorie counting, and BMI.
Effective empowerment means equipping people with information to make better informed choices. While it is true that providing calorific information may be useful for some, it is important to realise that for those suffering from eating disorders, this sets entirely the wrong precedent. Allowing customers to choose to ask for a special menu with calorific information should they wish to have this information – as so many restaurants do already for those with food allergies – is far preferable as it allows consumers to opt in while also avoiding negative outcomes for those with eating disorders. Further to this, evidence has shown that 1 in 4 people who restrict their food intake go on to develop an eating disorder.
Regrettably, this strategy risks becoming a “one size fits none” model which does more harm than good. The evidence is clear: 93 percent of diets fail. Add to that the fact that for those with eating disorders, calorie counting simply creates a cycle of guilt and self-hatred. Calorie counting in and of itself does not lead to healthy outcomes and so instead of becoming fixated on a number we need to focus on wider health messages.
It is also important to emphasise that we live in a society where disordered eating is normalised. This is extremely unhealthy and adding calories to menus will only make this worse. We will have children restricting their food intake and feeling concerned about calorific consumption, which could lead to an increase in eating disorders – an illness with the highest mortality rate and one that costs the UK over £15 billion a year.
The other area of concern is that obesity is defined on the basis of a person’s BMI. Whilst we know that we are in an obesity crisis, what we need to be aware that by fat shaming we are causing yet more harm. Evidence shows that the BMI measurement is not an accurate indicator for health, but in fact it is racist, sexist and does not take in to account a person’s health. We must learn from movements such as Health at Every Size (HAES), which has shown that health can be achieved regardless of weight. But by focusing on weight alone we are ignoring a person’s genetics, upbringing, social inequalities, job, and whether the individual has a fear of attending the doctor because of weight stigma. If we address this, then we will be able to address obesity in the long-term and not just find quick wins which will be detrimental to others.
Mindful of this, we are today calling for the Government and Public Health England to:
- Review the evidence around calorie counting and dieting;
- Invest in educational programs so that individuals feel empowered to make positive decisions and achieve a healthier lifestyle;
- Move away from health metrics based on weight and BMI;
- Remove calories from menus;
- Agree to assess the reasons behind an individual’s weight; and
- Put together a focus group with stakeholders with eating disorders, health issues, and nutritionists to discuss the plans more forward.
We look forward to working with you to achieve a long-term obesity strategy that avoids a scrupulous and psychologically damaging focus on weight, calorie counting, and BMI. We also look forward to receiving a swift response to our letter and to engaging with you on this important issue.
With kind regards,
Hope Virgo Author and Founder of #DumpTheScales
Zoe London, DJ/Influencer
Katie Thistleton, radio presenter
Natasha Devon MBE, Campaigner and Author
Cameron Molland, Undergraduate Student, University of Oxford
Eva Steinhardt, Office of Wera Hobhouse MP
Dr Kate Middleton, Director of the Mind and Soul Foundation
Andrew Gwynne MP
Allan Dorans MP
Chris Evans MP
Sweda UK
Dr Anna Colton, Clinical psychologist & eating disorders specialist
Catherine Perry, Specialist CBT Therapist
James Connolly, Personal Trainer, Nutritional Advisor
Tom Rebair, Eating Disorder Campaigner
Ceri Stokes, Assistant Head and Safeguarding Lead
Thomas Farnell, Safeguarding and Welfare Officer
Fiona Murden BSc MA MSc Cpsychol, Occupational Psychologist and Managing Director of Aroka LTD
Caitlin Lange, Paediatric Nursing Student
Ciara Graham, Pharmacy Advisor
Hannah Lewis, PhD Student in eating disorder prevention and Expert-by-Experience
Grace McIntosh, ChildCare Educator
Emily Mae Watson, Clincal Psychology Student
Rachael Newham, Author and Founder of ThinkTwice
Harriet Few, Eating disorder Therapist
Lottie Drynan, Events Manager and Influencer
Helen Missen, FEAST Board Member, Global Task Force, Chair
Natasha Kleeman, Founder of the Recovery Club
Dr Mark Anderson, Teacher
Hayley Jackson, Teacher
Lauren Craner, Teacher
Zoe Aston, Therapist and Mental Health consultant
Belinda Rich, Trainee Psychotherapist
Jo Hopton, Psychology Student
Dr Jenna Daku, Psychotherapist and Intuitive Eating Counsellor
Verity Hill, Special Educational Needs Coordinator
Emma Chiddle, Recovery Worker
Connor Spratt, Recovery Worker
Cara Sturgess, Senior Nurse Practioner
Sally Baker, Senior Therapist
Louisa Rose, Social Media Consultant and Mental Health Advocate
Isabelle Zanker, Badminton Coach
Anneli Roberts, Blogger
Bethany White, Campaigner
Molly Forbes, Campaigner & Writer
Maddy Self, Casting Director
Ilona Burton, Casting Producer and Campaigner
Laura Hirons, Photographer
Eleanor Taylor, PR and Marketing Account Manager
Natalia Sloam, PR/Content Manager, XenZone
Katie Rose, Preschool Assistant
Jo Shipley, Dispensing assistant in a GP surgery
Christina Taylor, Protection Underwriter
Emily Hoskins, Receptionist
Hannah Steiner, Consultant
Adam Fare, Data Analyst Transport Planning
Emily Louise Lockhart, Student
Mya Grace Gurrin, Student
Alice Cundick, Student
Katie Moffat, Student
Reena J- Jagdish
David Rackliff, Aircraft Electrical Engineer
Sapphire Taylor, Assistant Producer
Emily Cook, Freelance Drama Facilitator
Rachel Morris MBE, GB Paralympic Athlete
Chloe Gunshon, Graduate Accountant
Victoria McNish, Eating Disorder Champion
Andrew Nixon, Retail Manager
Isabel Pritchard, Dancer & Dance Teacher
Alicia Jackson, Student
Emma Baker, Student
Charlie Mason, Video Editor
Lianne Shakespeare, Primary School Teacher
Kerstin Schmutz, Chef
Paul Haywood, Head Chef
Kate Tilston, Life Coach
Emily Dinmore, Shop Assistant
Angela Chesworth, Obesity Patient Advocate
