A recent study involving over 5,000 Abu Dhabi residents reveals that transparency in food labelling significantly impacts dietary decisions. The research found that when menus include calorie counts and nutritional data, diners consume an average of 114 fewer calories per meal. This initiative, backed by the Department of Health’s "Healthy Living" movement and the UAE’s Behavioural Science Group (BSG), highlights a strong public appetite for such transparency, with 94 per cent of participants favoring the mandatory inclusion of calorie labels on menus.

Beyond restaurant dining, the partnership is leveraging behavioural insights to reshape supermarket experiences. Through the introduction of the "Nutri-Mark" grading system—which ranks packaged foods from A to E—authorities are helping shoppers make more informed choices at a glance. Dr. Ahmed AlKhazraji, Executive Director of Healthy Living, emphasized that these interventions succeed because they move away from "one-size-fits-all" solutions, instead focusing on the daily realities of residents. By utilizing evidence-based strategies, the government aims to make healthy living the default, effortless choice for communities across the UAE.