Adding small symbols to existing food packaging could change eating habits, according to researchers at Loughborough University. The symbols would show how much walking and running would be required to burn off the food or drink in question. A snack bar containing 140 calories, for example, could be accompanied by a symbol of a person showing it would take 26 minutes of walking or 13 minutes of running to compensate.
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“We think there is a clear signal that it might be useful,” said Prof Amanda Daley, fi rst author of the research. “If I tell you something is going to take you 60 minutes of walking to burn, I think most people understand that and know that 60 minutes of walking is a long way.”