Food Labels and Knowledge of Nutrition and Disease for Low-Income Women

Abstract

Although low-income families are at increased nutritional risk, little is known regarding use by this population of information as provided by food labels. This study summarizes knowledge of dietary guidelines, diet-disease relationships, and label use for a sample of 77 women, predominantly young (mean=26y) , low-income and Hispanic. Questionnaires were self-administered in the waiting room of an urban nutrition center. Respondents relied on labels for identifying healthy foods (85% of respondents), checking micronutrients (77%), and avoiding fat (73%). Most subjects correctly stated whether the emphasis of nutritional guidelines is to consume more or less of 8 nutrients (range: 68% to 95% correct responses). Respondents’ knowledge was highest regarding the relationship between calcium and osteoporosis (70% correct responses); moderate for the relationships between sodium and hypertension (51%) and between saturated fat, cholesterol, fiber and heart disease (53%) ; and lowest for the associations between fat, fiber and cancer (31%). If consumers are unable to consistently connect vulnerability to disease with food choices, it is unlikely they will apply knowledge of food labels to a healthier lifestyle. Thus, education of food labels and dietary recommendations must be coupled with instruction of the relationship between diet and disease.