A new study finds consumers are highly unlikely to seek out pamphlets or other on-site nutritional information at fast food chains. Researchers at Yale observed more than 4,000 customers as they entered and ordered at restaurants, including McDonald's, Burger King and Starbucks.

"Out of that 4,000, only six people, so that's .01 percent of customers, were actually accessing nutrition information," said Christina Roberto, one of the researchers at Yale University.

To help fight obesity in the country, researchers say the observational study suggests calorie information should be displayed in plain view on menus.

"I don't think menu labeling is the magic bullet but I do think that people are eating a lot of food outside the home. Consumers have the right to know this information, and it will help inform, help them make better choices when they're eating out," said Roberto.

It's been nearly a year since New York City enacted the first law requiring major chains to post calories on menus, boards, and food labels. Opinions about the requirement are varied.

"If I'm going to McDonald's, I'm there to eat McDonald's. I don't want to know what's in it," said one consumer.

"I think giving consumers more information about the products they're buying is a good thing," said another.

Since then, other cities and states have passed or are considering similar laws. And a growing number of restaurants are voluntarily displaying nutritional information, adapting to what consumers want.

"Consumers are very interested in gathering that information and, again, looking at the specifics so that they can know what they're doing before they go out," said Beth Johnson of the National Restaurant Association.

But if the Yale study is correct, the majority of consumers may still need information staring them in the face in order to make the healthiest choice.

The Yale study appears in the May issue of the American Journal of Public Health.