The Catalyst

By Megan Dorenkamp, Reporter

Massachusetts is about to unveil the strictest fast-food menu labeling rules in the United States; requiring calories to be posted with the food on the menus. But not every restaurant is happy with these new guidelines. Some restaurants have taken the menu posting case to court to contest the new rules.

Massachusetts is putting this into effect to combat the rising obesity in the United States. Statistics say that around 33 percent of Americans are overweight and 34 percent are obese. This law took effect in New York last year, and now more than a dozen states are considering putting this into effect.

In the battle of obesity in the Untied States the first step is to make people aware. Putting the calories on the menu boards makes it almost impossible for people to be aware of the amount of calories they are putting into their bodies when the go out to eat. It may cut down on the unhealthy appetites of Americans.