WASHINGTON €" A new reported published in the British Medical Journal revealed that one in six customers visiting a New York City QSR that posted calorie counts noticed the information and made a menu selection with fewer calories than they would have without the nutritional data, Reuters reports.

Customers of McDonald€™s, Au Bon Pain, and KFC made the most significant modifications, though overall calorie consumption for the thousands of people tracked in the study did not change.

New York City passed a 2008 law requiring chain restaurants to post calorie information. Advocates responded to the study€™s findings, maintaining the law is working.

"We think, overall, these initial findings are positive," Dr. Lynn Silver, director of New York City's Office of Science and Policy and co-author of the report.

"We're optimistic, as calorie labels go national, and consumers become accustomed to using the information that chains will have a strong incentive to offer lower calorie options," she said.

The New York City report surveyed lunchtime behavior at 11 QSR chains, reviewing receipts from more than 7,300 people 12 months before the law took effect and for more than 8,000 customers nine months after it was implemented.

Customers at McDonald€™s, Au Bon Pain, and KFC reduced calorie consumption by an average 44, 80, and 59 calories, respectively. Conversely, Subway customers increased their calorie consumption, the result of the chain€™s foot-long sandwich offer. Other chains realized little change in their customers€™ purchasing behavior.

The BMJ study contrasts a study published earlier this year in the International Journal of Obesity, which concluded New York City€™s law had little affect on children€™s food selections.