How Do Consumers Use Nutrition Labels on Food Products?

Abstract

ObjectiveTo understand how consumers use food labels and the trends of changes in consumer food label usage styles. To our knowledge, the present study was the first that examines food label usage styles with four compatible nationally representative surveys.Design, Setting and ParticipantsWe compared four cross-sectional Health & Diet Surveys (HDS) — HDS 1994 (n=1,945), 1995 (n=1,001), 2002 (2,743) and 2008 (n=2,584). United States Adults (18+).Outcome Measures and AnalysisEight food label usage questions and an index summing up these eight questions. We used cluster analysis, multinomial logistic, ordinary least squares regression modeling and nonparametric statistics.ResultsAs speculated, the eight label questions were grouped into two categories, which were generally in line with our label usage for shopping decisions or dietary decisions (e.g., meal planning) classifications. Regarding label usage styles, consumers paid either equal or more attention to label information for dietary decisions rather than for shopping decisions in 2008 as compared to previous years 1995 and 2002. More people used labels for all purposes around the implementation of NLEA in 1994 and 1995 as compared to 2008 (P < .001). Females, highly educated (some college or above), young old (aged 50-59), consumers with any health issue, and frequent label users were significantly more likely to use food labels for all kinds of purposes.Conclusions and ImplicationsEnhanced efforts in teaching consumers to use food labels for dietary purposes are needed.FundingNone. ObjectiveTo understand how consumers use food labels and the trends of changes in consumer food label usage styles. To our knowledge, the present study was the first that examines food label usage styles with four compatible nationally representative surveys. To understand how consumers use food labels and the trends of changes in consumer food label usage styles. To our knowledge, the present study was the first that examines food label usage styles with four compatible nationally representative surveys. Design, Setting and ParticipantsWe compared four cross-sectional Health & Diet Surveys (HDS) — HDS 1994 (n=1,945), 1995 (n=1,001), 2002 (2,743) and 2008 (n=2,584). United States Adults (18+). We compared four cross-sectional Health & Diet Surveys (HDS) — HDS 1994 (n=1,945), 1995 (n=1,001), 2002 (2,743) and 2008 (n=2,584). United States Adults (18+). Outcome Measures and AnalysisEight food label usage questions and an index summing up these eight questions. We used cluster analysis, multinomial logistic, ordinary least squares regression modeling and nonparametric statistics. Eight food label usage questions and an index summing up these eight questions. We used cluster analysis, multinomial logistic, ordinary least squares regression modeling and nonparametric statistics. ResultsAs speculated, the eight label questions were grouped into two categories, which were generally in line with our label usage for shopping decisions or dietary decisions (e.g., meal planning) classifications. Regarding label usage styles, consumers paid either equal or more attention to label information for dietary decisions rather than for shopping decisions in 2008 as compared to previous years 1995 and 2002. More people used labels for all purposes around the implementation of NLEA in 1994 and 1995 as compared to 2008 (P < .001). Females, highly educated (some college or above), young old (aged 50-59), consumers with any health issue, and frequent label users were significantly more likely to use food labels for all kinds of purposes. As speculated, the eight label questions were grouped into two categories, which were generally in line with our label usage for shopping decisions or dietary decisions (e.g., meal planning) classifications. Regarding label usage styles, consumers paid either equal or more attention to label information for dietary decisions rather than for shopping decisions in 2008 as compared to previous years 1995 and 2002. More people used labels for all purposes around the implementation of NLEA in 1994 and 1995 as compared to 2008 (P < .001). Females, highly educated (some college or above), young old (aged 50-59), consumers with any health issue, and frequent label users were significantly more likely to use food labels for all kinds of purposes. Conclusions and ImplicationsEnhanced efforts in teaching consumers to use food labels for dietary purposes are needed. Enhanced efforts in teaching consumers to use food labels for dietary purposes are needed.