BACKGROUND: Nutrition labels are a low-cost tool with the potential to encourage healthy eating habits. OBJECTIVE: To investigate correlates of frequent Nutrition Facts label use, describe the types of label information most often used, and measure how label use relates to dietary intake in young adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based study of young adults participating in Project Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults-IV. PARTICIPANTS/ SETTING: Surveys and food frequency questionnaires were completed during 2015-2016 by young adults (N=1,817; weighted sample=49% women) aged 25 to 36 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Nutrition Facts label use, frequency of using specific information on labels, and dietary intake. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Relative risks and adjusted means were used to examine how demographic, behavior, and weight-related factors were associated with Nutrition Facts panel use, and how label use related to dietary outcomes. Associations with P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Approximately one-third (31.4%) of participants used Nutrition Facts labels "frequently." Use was significantly higher for women; for participants with high education and income; among those who prepared food regularly; among those who were physically active; among those with a weight status classified as overweight; and among those who were trying to lose, gain, or maintain weight. Label components used most often included sugars (74.1%), total calories (72.9%), serving size (67.9%), and the ingredient list (65.8%). Nutrition Facts label users consumed significantly more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and fewer sugar-sweetened beverages, compared with nonusers. Nutrition Facts label users ate significantly more frequently at sit-down restaurants but less frequently at fast-food restaurants compared with nonusers. CONCLUSIONS: Although Nutrition Facts label use was associated with markers of better dietary quality in a population-based sample of young adults, only one-third of participants used labels frequently. Methods to improve label use should be studied, particularly through leveraging weight- or health-related goals (eg, interest in making healthier food choices), and meeting consumer preferences concerning label content.
BACKGROUND: Nutrition labels are a low-cost tool with the potential to encourage healthy eating habits. OBJECTIVE: To investigate correlates of frequent Nutrition Facts label use, describe the types of label information most often used, and measure how label use relates to dietary intake in young adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population-based study of young adults participating in Project Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults-IV. PARTICIPANTS/ SETTING: Surveys and food frequency questionnaires were completed during 2015-2016 by young adults (N=1,817; weighted sample=49% women) aged 25 to 36 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Nutrition Facts label use, frequency of using specific information on labels, and dietary intake. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Relative risks and adjusted means were used to examine how demographic, behavior, and weight-related factors were associated with Nutrition Facts panel use, and how label use related to dietary outcomes. Associations with P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Approximately one-third (31.4%) of participants used Nutrition Facts labels "frequently." Use was significantly higher for women; for participants with high education and income; among those who prepared food regularly; among those who were physically active; among those with a weight status classified as overweight; and among those who were trying to lose, gain, or maintain weight. Label components used most often included sugars (74.1%), total calories (72.9%), serving size (67.9%), and the ingredient list (65.8%). Nutrition Facts label users consumed significantly more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and fewer sugar-sweetened beverages, compared with nonusers. Nutrition Facts label users ate significantly more frequently at sit-down restaurants but less frequently at fast-food restaurants compared with nonusers. CONCLUSIONS: Although Nutrition Facts label use was associated with markers of better dietary quality in a population-based sample of young adults, only one-third of participants used labels frequently. Methods to improve label use should be studied, particularly through leveraging weight- or health-related goals (eg, interest in making healthier food choices), and meeting consumer preferences concerning label content.
Authors: Joseph E Donnelly; Stephen D Herrmann; Kate Lambourne; Amanda N Szabo; Jeffery J Honas; Richard A Washburn Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-01-15 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: F B Hu; E Rimm; S A Smith-Warner; D Feskanich; M J Stampfer; A Ascherio; L Sampson; W C Willett Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 1999-02 Impact factor: 7.045
Authors: EunEeok Cha; Kevin H Kim; Hannah M Lerner; Colleen R Dawkins; Morenike K Bello; Guillermo Umpierrez; Sandra B Dunbar Journal: Am J Health Behav Date: 2014-05
Authors: Rebecca L Bassett-Gunter; Ryna Levy-Milne; Patti Jean Naylor; Danielle Symons Downs; Cecilia Benoit; Darren E R Warburton; Chris M Blanchard; Ryan E Rhodes Journal: Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act Date: 2013-07-06 Impact factor: 6.457
Authors: Érika Arcaro Bez Batti; Amanda Bagolin do Nascimento; Ana Paula Gines Geraldo; Ana Carolina Fernandes; Greyce Luci Bernardo; Rossana Pacheco da Costa Proença; Paula Lazzarin Uggioni Journal: Front Nutr Date: 2022-08-15
Authors: Samantha L Hahn; Katherine W Bauer; Niko Kaciroti; Daniel Eisenberg; Sarah K Lipson; Kendrin R Sonneville Journal: Int J Eat Disord Date: 2021-01-05 Impact factor: 4.861
Authors: Beatriz Franco-Arellano; Lana Vanderlee; Mavra Ahmed; Angela Oh; Mary R L'Abbé Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-11-06 Impact factor: 3.390