P130 - Applying the Transtheoretical Model to Nutrition Facts Label Use Among College Students

Abstract

Background (Background, Rationale, Prior Research, and/or Theory): The Nutrition Facts Label was recently updated to further help consumers make informed nutrition choices. A majority of people report reading labels at least sometimes, but only half report using them most of the time or always in making decisions. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore college students' label reading behavior to improve health using the transtheoretical model (TTM) as a framework. Study Design, Setting, Participants, Intervention: College students from a mid-sized, midwestern university were recruited to complete an online survey including an open-ended question about their label use. Outcome Measures and Analysis: Responses from 403 college students were analyzed by three researchers. Content analysis was used to stage participants using the TTM and explore themes in the responses. Results: Participants in precontemplation (n = 111) reported not caring or choosing foods based on taste or price. Contemplators (n = 45) often reported lacking knowledge to effectively use labels. Participants in preparation (n = 82) were curious and used the label at times to limit calories or nutrients such as fat or sugar. Action and maintenance stages (n = 100) were marked by a desire for knowledge and health concerns such as diabetes or allergies. Responses from 65 participants were unable to be staged. Conclusions and Implications: To optimize the impact of food labels, interventions should be tailored based on stage of behavior change. For example, focusing on disease susceptibility may influence precontemplators to progress to contemplation, while education on using the label could increase self-efficacy of contemplators to prepare or act. Individuals in preparation already show an interest but aren't using the label regularly to make healthy decisions. Education focusing on the health applications of the label, rather than for dieting, would be appropriate. Ultimately, updating the label format may not be enough for consumers to use labels in decision-making. Nutrition educators can use the TTM to tailor messages to improve label reading behaviors. Funding: None.