Using verbal protocol to examine the comprehension and use of nutrition facts tables among young Canadians (390.8)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To explore how young Canadians engage with, understand, and use serving size and %DV information on current and modified Nutrition Facts Tables (NFts).METHODS: 26 participants aged 16‐24 years were recruited. Participants were randomly assigned to two NFts, one with high (蠅15%DV) and one with low (≤5%DV) sodium amount, altered to one of the 6 conditions: 1) Current NFts; 2) Standardized serving sizes (SSS); 3) High/Low (H/L) descriptors beside % Daily Value (%DV) for negative nutrients; 4) SSS + H/L descriptors; 5) H/L and color beside %DV; and 6) SSS + H/L and color. Participants completed a skill‐based questionnaire using the “think aloud” technique. Content analysis was used to examine how participants interpret, define, compare, and manipulate information in NFts.RESULTS: Exploration of participants’ thought processes identified barriers to understanding and using the current NFt. The barriers include failure to understand %DV, difficulty in manipulating %DV to compare nutrients across various serving sizes, and confusion about how to use NFt to choose foods. Analysis also revealed that the barriers mentioned above can be addressed by standardizing serving sizes on NFts and adding simple descriptors and/or colors to %DV information.CONCLUSIONS: SSS and H/L descriptors or color coded %DV information assists young people in understanding and using NFts when comparing and choosing foods.