Nutrition Label Use Research Articles

Traffic light nutrition labelling policy: A path to promoting healthier eating habits in Pakistan.

Dear Editor, While the global burden of diet-related diseases continues to escalate1, it is disheartening to see that Pakistan, like many other Lower-Middle Income Countries (LMICs)2, has not yet ultimately adopted the system that can significantly assist consumers in making healthier food decisions. In Pakistan, the prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and other non-communicable disease conditions is on the rise, posing a substantial economic and health burden on individuals and the healthcare system2. Many countries like the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom use the traffic light nutrition labeling system, which is a valuable tool for empowering consumers to make informed food choices quickly 3. It provides a simple way for people to quickly assess the nutritional value of a product using a color-coding system3. Green labels indicate healthier options, amber labels suggest moderate consumption and red labels highlight food that should be consumed sparingly4. The simple color-coding system empowers consumers to make healthier decisions and can contribute to a reduction in diet-related diseases4. The traffic light system works particularly well in settings with high illiteracy rates, as is prevalent in Pakistan since it relies on simple color coding rather than textual information5. As consumers, we lack a clear and uniform method for evaluating the nutritional components of the food we buy. This deficiency not only obstructs the capacity to make healthy food choices but also sustains the prevalence of diet-related issues. Color-coded labeling would help people with low literacy levels to understand the nutrition information available on food products easily. However, Traffic Light nutrition labelling has not been adopted in Pakistan. To confront this challenge, policymakers, health organizations, and government authorities should take swift and decisive action. The government must take the lead in implementing clear regulations that mandate the use of traffic light nutrition labels on packaged food items. These regulations should accompany strict enforcement measures. Launching public awareness campaigns about the benefits of the traffic light system can help familiarize consumers with this approach and generate demand for healthier food products. Collaboration and engagement with food manufacturers and retailers to ensure a smooth transition to the traffic light system is imperative to encourage the production of healthier food consumption. Implement a system of periodic reviews and updates of the labeling system to ensure its collective effectiveness and relevance to the evolving nutritional landscape. ---Continue

Benchmarking nutrition facts panel label – a consumer ethics perspective using health belief model

PurposeThis study examines how health-conscious consumers utilize nutrition facts panel labels when purchasing food products, focusing specifically on the dimension of ethical evaluation. It aims to understand how ethical considerations influence the decision-making process of consumers who prioritize health. By analyzing the impact of ethical evaluation on label usage, the study sheds light on the significance of ethics in consumer behavior in the context of purchasing packaged edible oil.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical data were collected using an online survey and a non-ordered questionnaire. In total, 469 valid responses were obtained. The study used SPSS version 27.0 and SmartPLS version 3 for demographic analysis and structural equation modeling.FindingsThe findings suggest that three factors – perceived benefits, perceived threats, and nutrition self-efficacy, positively impact the use of NFP labels. However, perceived barriers negatively influence the use of NFP labels. In additionally, ethical evaluation mediates the usage of NFP labels.Practical implicationsIn the health belief model, ethical evaluation functions as a mediator and has a greater influence on NFP label use. This study provides a framework for marketers to promote consumer health consciousness by encouraging them to incorporate NFP labels.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first attempts to demonstrate that ethical evaluation mediate health beliefs and the use of nutrition labels.

Assessment of nutrition facts label utilization and macro-nutrient intake among patients with chronic diseases in Saudi Arabia

ObjectivesTo investigate and compare nutritional label use, influencing factors, and macro-nutrient intake among individuals with chronic diseases and other healthy individuals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). DesignA cross-sectional study in KSA. ParticipantsN = 380 males/females aged 18–50 years, healthy and others with chronic diseases. Variables measuredData were collected using a self-reported questionnaire containing chronic disease factors, label use behavior factors and three 24-h dietary recalls. AnalysisSeveral statistical tests were used, including the Chi-square (ᵪ2), the Independent Sample T-test, the ANOVA test, and Pearson's correlation with p-value ≤0.05. ResultsMore chronic disease patients (56.1 %), especially hypercholesterolemia patients, than healthy individuals (43.9 %) reported that they checked and used the information on the nutritional fact labels. All the chronic disease patients consumed less than the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) for carbohydrates and fiber. However, the protein and total fat intake were more than the RNI. The highest intake was among diabetes/at risk of diabetes patients, with an average of 1710.9 kcal. ConclusionsThe present study concluded that chronic disease patients tend to demonstrate superior behaviour in reading food labels compared to those who are healthy. Thus, healthy individuals would benefit from reading the label information, possibly reducing their risk of developing chronic disease.

Sociodemographic differences in nutrition labels effect on Chilean and Mexican youth.

To examine sociodemographic differences in the awareness, understanding, use and effect of nutrition labels among Mexican and Chilean youth. Online surveys among youth (10-17 years) were obtained in 2019 (n=2631). Participants reported their awareness, understanding, and use of their country-specific nutrition facts tables (NFT) and front-of-pack labels (FOPL) (Chile: warning labels [WLs]; Mexico: guideline daily amounts [GDA]). Additionally, participants reported their perceived healthfulness of a sweetened fruit drink after viewing one of six versions of it with different FOPL (no-label control, Health Star Rating, WLs, GDAs, Traffic Light, or Nutri-Score) during an experimental task. Higher self-reported nutrition knowledge was associated with higher NFT and FOPL awareness, understanding, and use, except for WL use. WLs were the most effective FOPL in decreasing the perceived healthfulness of the sweetened fruit drink compared to a no-label condition and other FOP labels. In Chile, the effect of GDA differed by income adequacy, while in Mexico Nutri-Score differed by age. Results suggest that nutrition label awareness, use, understanding, and impact differ across demographics, favoring higher income and nutrition knowledge. Despite this, WLs are likely to have a positive impact on nutrition-related knowledge and behaviors among Mexican and Chilean youth, independently of their socio-demographic groups.

Consumer Awareness, Knowledge, Understanding, and Use of Nutrition Labels in Africa: A Systematic Narrative Review

The purpose of nutrition information on a nutrition label is to communicate to consumers the nutritional content of prepackaged foods so that they would be able to identify healthy foods before purchase. Many systematic reviews in the area of consumer awareness, knowledge, understanding, and use of nutrition labels have focused on the United States, Canada, Asia, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, and little attention has been given to African countries. To review the state of consumer awareness, knowledge, understanding, and use of nutrition labels within the African region, identify barriers to the use of nutrition labels, identify consumers who are more likely to use labels, and assess the factors that affect purchasing decisions. Searches were done in electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Semantic Scholar, Web of Science) and the reference lists of relevant research articles (back referencing). The review was limited to cross-sectional peer-reviewed research articles which were published in the English Language between January 2000 and June 2022. Twenty-six peer-reviewed papers from 10 African countries that met our inclusion criteria are included in this systematic review. The overall crude means of levels of awareness, knowledge, understanding, and use of nutrition labels were found to be 74.2%, 56.4%, 45.3%, and 69.1%, respectively. Consumer levels of knowledge and understanding of nutrition labels across the 10 African countries were low compared to the awareness and use of nutrition labels.

Abstract P482: Associations Between Determinates of Food Choice and Healthy Eating Index-2015 in Adults: An NHANES 2017 - 2018 Analysis

Introduction: Previous work in nationally representative US samples has focused on associations between single determinants of food choice and diet quality assessed by the Health Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015). Limited research has examined the relationship between multiple domains of food choice and diet quality. A greater understanding of the association between individual-level determinants of food choice and diet quality may inform the development of interventions to improve diet quality. Aim: The aim was to examine the association between potentially modifiable factors known to affect individual-level food choice and HEI-2015. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included adult participants in NHANES 2017 - 2018. Determinates of individual-level food choice were based on a previously proposed framework. Variables assessed in NHANES were mapped to the following four domains: 1) food-external factors (use of nutrition labels, hours worked weekly, typical work schedule); 2) personal-state factors (health status, consumption of food away from home); 3) cognitive factors (perceived diet quality, knowledge of MyPlate); 4) society-related features (monthly grocery expenditures, food security status, income to poverty ratio). Univariate regression assessed the relationship between food choice determinates and HEI-2015 score. Statistically significant variables were entered into multivariate regression models predicting HEI-2015 score. Significant variables from the final model were used in multivariate regression models predicting adequacy and moderation component sub scores of HEI-2015. All models were adjusted for non-modifiable determinates of food choice, including age, sex, race, BMI, education, and relationship status. All analyses were survey weighted. Results: The weighted mean HEI-2015 score for the sample (N=1467) was 51.69 points (95% CI 49.55, 53.84; weighted n=95.6 million). In the final model, perceived diet quality, food away from home, and use of nutrition labels were significant predictors of HEI-2015 (R 2 adj =0.25, p<0.001). Those with excellent/very good perceived diet quality had a 4.88-pt higher HEI-2015 score than those with fair/poor perceived diet quality (p<0.001). Consuming food away from home ≥5 times per week resulted in a 5.92-pt lower HEI-2015 score than 0 times per week (p=0.02). Always/most of the time using nutrition labels was associated with a 7.85-pt higher HEI-2015 score compared to rarely/never using labels (p<0.001). Variables accounted for a higher proportion of variance in adequacy score (R 2 adj =0.10, p<.001) than moderation score (R 2 adj =0.24, p<.001). Conclusion: Food-external, personal-state, cognitive, and socio-cultural factors are associated with diet quality. Future research should consider multiple individual-level food-choice determinates when developing interventions to improve diet quality.

Using the Nutrition Facts Label to Make Food Choices Is Associated with Healthier Eating among 8th and 11th-Grade Students: An Analysis of Statewide Representative Data from the 2019-2020 Texas School Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey.

Nutrition labels are a tool to inform and encourage the public to make healthier food choices, but little information is available about use in multi-ethnic adolescent populations in the U.S. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between the level of nutrition label usage and healthy/unhealthy eating behaviors among a statewide representative sample of 8th and 11th-grade students in Texas. We analyzed cross-sectional associations between the Nutrition Facts label use and eating behaviors from a statewide sample of 8th and 11th-grade students in Texas, (n = 4730, weighted n = 710,731, mean age = 14.7 ± 1.6 years; 49% female, 51% Hispanic), who completed the 2019-2020 Texas School Physical Activity and Nutrition (TX SPAN) survey. Students self-reported their level of nutrition label usage to make food choices (5-point Likert scale from "Never" to "Always") and previous day consumption of 26 food items (13 healthy, 13 unhealthy). The 26 food items were used to calculate a Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score (0-100), a Healthy Foods Index (HFI) score (0-100), and an Unhealthy Foods Index (UFI) score (0-100). Weighted linear regression models were employed to examine the associations between self-reported use of nutrition labels to make food choices and HEI, HFI, and UFI scores. Marginal predicted means of HEI, HFI, and UFI scores were calculated post hoc from linear regression models. The odds of consuming specific individual food items for nutrition label usage were also calculated from weighted logistic regression models. All linear and logistic regression models were adjusted for grade, sex, Body Mass Index (BMI), race/ethnicity, economic disadvantage, and percentage of English language learners by school. A total of 11.0% of students reported always/almost always using nutrition labels to make food choices, 27.9% reported sometimes using them, while 61.0% indicated they never/almost never used nutrition labels to make food choices. The average HEI score among students in the sample was 47.7 ± 5.9. Nutrition Facts label usage was significantly and positively associated with HEI (b = 5.79, 95%CI: 4.45, 7.12) and HFI (b = 7.28, 95%CI:4.48, 10.07), and significantly and negatively associated with UFI (b = -4.30, 95%CI: -6.25, -2.34). A dose-response relationship was observed between nutrition label usage and HEI, HFI, and UFI scores, such that the strength of these associations increased with each one-point increase in nutrition label usage. Students who reported using nutrition labels always/almost always to make food choices had significantly higher odds of consuming healthy foods including baked meat, nuts, brown bread, vegetables, whole fruit, and yogurt (ORrange = 1.31-3.07), and significantly lower odds of consuming unhealthy foods including chips, cake, candy, and soda (ORrange = 0.48-0.68) compared to students who reported never/almost never using the Nutrition Facts label. Using the Nutrition Facts labels to make food choices is beneficially associated with healthy and unhealthy eating among 8th and 11th-grade students, although the proportion of students using nutrition labels to make their food choices was low. Public health efforts should be made to improve nutrition literacy and encourage nutrition label use among secondary students in the United States.

Association between nutritional literacy and nutrition label use in Chinese community residents.

Nutritional literacy (NL) has a critical influence on food choices. The objective of the present study was to examine the association of NL with nutrition label use. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bengbu, China. In total, 955 adults were interviewed using a questionnaire designed for the present study to collect information on demographics, lifestyle, nutrition label use, and NL. Binary logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for nutrition label use and its predictive variables. In total, 40.4% of the participants reported looking at nutrition label when purchasing prepackaged foods. NL was significantly positively associated with nutrition label use and specifically with checking nutrition facts table, purported nutrition benefits and purported health benefits. In terms of specific facets of NL, nutrition knowledge, applying skills, and critical skills were associated with nutrition label use. After stratification by monthly income and education, the association between NL and nutrition label use was discovered only in individuals with low monthly income. Additionally, nutrition knowledge was associated with nutrition label use only in adults with high education level, whereas applying skills were associated with nutrition label use only in those with low education level. The use of nutrition label remains low among Chinese community residents, especially the purported nutritional benefits and purported health benefits. NL is positively associated with nutrition label use, especially with respect to functional and critical NL, with differences based on socioeconomic status. The findings highlight the need for NL interventions targeting individuals with different levels of education and income to encourage use of nutrition label in China.

Counteracting noncommunicable diseases with front-of-pack nutritional labels' informativeness: an inquiry into the effects on food acceptance and portions selection

PurposeFront-of-pack nutritional labels have been extensively studied to support consumers in making healthier and more informed food choices. However, existing research has gathered conflicting evidence about which category of label, nutrient-specific or summary labels, is more effective. As a result, the European Union has postponed its decision on selecting a unified label to collect additional information. This study specifically focusses on individuals with noncommunicable diseases, an overlooked yet relevant segment of consumers who can significantly benefit from the proper use of nutritional labels in their self-care.Design/methodology/approachIn a sequence of three studies grounded in the front-of-pack acceptance model and focussing on customers with specific noncommunicable diseases, the authors examined the different effects of the NutrInform Battery and Nutri-Score on food acceptance and portion selection. This research involved the use of structural equation modelling and ANOVA and was conducted with a cumulative sample of 2,942 EU adults, residing in countries with or without previous exposure to nutritional labels.FindingsThe results suggest that among individuals with noncommunicable diseases, nutrient-specific labels are perceived as more useful and easier to use. They also generate a better attitude towards the usage of nutritional labels and are more effective in nudging those consumers towards a proper selection of portions.Social implicationsThe results provide valuable insights into how front-of-pack nutritional labels can impact the food choices of individuals with noncommunicable diseases and have implications for public health policies.Originality/valueInvestigation of the effects of NutrInform Battery and Nutri-Score on consumers with noncommunicable diseases, an area currently under-researched.

Development of nutrition label use scale for patients of coronary heart disease and examination of its reliability and validity.

A proper evaluation on the intention of using nutrition label in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) is crucial to design and formulate of behavior-based interventions. A valid and reliable instrument based on theoretical basis is needed to measure individual intention toward nutrition label use and identify underlying socio-cognitive factors. To develop and test validity and reliability of the theoretically based nutrition label use (NLU) scale and to promote the use of nutrition labels in CHD patients. A questionnaire was developed based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), empirical literatures, expert review and pilot tested. A total of 460 CHD patients in a hospital in Changsha were investigated using this questionnaire from April 2021 to August 2021. The items and dimensions in the scale were explored and confirmed using item-analysis, content validity, exploratory factor analytical (EFA), confirmatory factor analytical (CFA), internal consistency and split-half reliability tests. A total of 33 items with 4 structural factors were identified, including 10 items of attitude, 6 items of subjective norm, 12 items of perceived behavior control, and 5 items of intention. The total variance explained by the EFA model was 68.563%. The model was further tested with CFA. The measurement model fitted the data well (Ratio of chi-square minimum and degree of freedom (CMIN/DF) =1.743, goodness of fit index (GFI) =0.814, incremental fit index (IFI) =0.946, Tuker-Lewis index (TLI) =0.940, the comparative fit index (CFI) =0.945, the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) =0.057). The content validation index (CVI) of the scale was 0.82, and the CVI of the items ranged from 0.8 to 1.00. The reliability of the scale was 0.976 (p < 0 0.001) using Cronbach's alpha and 0.937 (p < 0.001) using the split-half coefficient. The newly developed Nutrition Label Use Scale can serve as a valid and reliable tool to evaluate the nutrition label use of CHD patients.

Factors Affecting the Use and Understanding of Nutrition Labeling on Food Labels among Nepalese Youths

Nutrition labeling, crucial for informing consumers about food content, faces significant gaps in Nepal's regulatory framework. These gaps impact how the nutritional information is understood and used by consumers, contributing to challenges like obesity and chronic diseases in the country. This study aims to uncover the factors affecting the use and understanding of nutrition labeling on food labels among Nepalese youths. Conducted through a cross-sectional approach, this research involved administering a structured questionnaire to 225 participants in June 2023, targeting regular consumers of packaged foods. Data analysis, employing both descriptive and multivariate principal component analysis using SPSS 25, revealed that 24% of respondents always read nutrition labeling on food labels in packed food items. The Principal Component Analysis identified four key factors affecting the use and understanding of nutrition labeling: "perception of the nutritional information", "motivations in dietary decisions", "awareness" and "health priority interest in nutritional attributes". These factors collectively explained over 54% of the variance in the data, as validated by the scree plot and Kaiser Criterion. The study underscores the necessity of initiatives aimed at enhancing the accessibility, clarity, and appeal of nutritional labeling on food labels in packaged food products. Such initiatives are pivotal for policymakers, educators, and marketers striving to encourage healthier dietary practices among Nepalese youths.

Use of nutritional warning labels at the point of purchase: An exploratory study using self-reported measures and eye-tracking

Nutritional warning labels are gaining relevance in the region of the Americas as a policy tool to reduce information asymmetry and encourage healthier food choices. However, empirical evidence about consumer experiences with warning labels after implementation is still scarce. In this context, the aim of the present work was to explore the use of nutritional warning labels after policy implementation in Uruguay, using a combination of eye-tracking and self-reported data. The study was conducted in three supermarkets, in two regional capitals, 19 months after the entry into force of the policy. A total of 224 participants were intercepted while entering the facilities of the supermarket and asked to wear a mobile eye-tracker while making their food purchases. Then, they were asked a series of questions about their awareness and use of warning labels. Although participants reported high awareness and understanding of the labels, active search and use at the point of purchase was low. Only 6% of the consumers declared having actively searched for the warning labels and 7% fixated their gaze on the labels. The majority of the participants (72%) who declared having seen the warnings on a product, purchased it anyway. However, 56% declared having changed their food choice decisions as a consequence of the implementation of the policy. Participants' accounts about reasons for (not) taking into account the warning labels provide relevant insights for the development of strategies to encourage citizens to increase policy effectiveness and encourage healthier food choices.

Awareness, use and understanding of nutrition labels among children and youth from six countries: findings from the 2019 – 2020 International Food Policy Study

BackgroundNutrition facts tables (NFTs) on pre-packaged foods are widely used but poorly understood by consumers. Several countries have implemented front-of-package labels (FOPLs) that provide simpler, easier to use nutrition information. In October 2020, Mexico revised its FOPL regulations to replace industry-based Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) FOPLs with ‘Warning’ FOPLs, which display stop signs on foods high in nutrients of concern, such as sugar and sodium. This study examined self-reported awareness, use, and understanding of NFTs and FOPLs among young people in six countries with different FOPLs, with an additional focus on changes before and after implementation of Mexico’s FOPL warning policy.MethodsA ‘natural experiment’ was conducted using ‘pre-post’ national surveys in Mexico and five separate comparison countries: countries with no FOPL policy (Canada and the US), countries with voluntary FOPL policies (Traffic Lights in the UK and Health Star Ratings in Australia), and one country (Chile) with mandatory FOPL ‘warnings' (like Mexico). Population-based surveys were conducted with 10 to 17-year-olds in 2019 (n = 10,823) and in 2020 (n = 11,713). Logistic regressions examined within- and between-countries changes in self-reported awareness, use, and understanding of NFTs and FOPLs.ResultsAcross countries, half to three quarters of respondents reported seeing NFTs ‘often’ or ‘all the time’, approximately one quarter reported using NFTs when deciding what to eat or buy, and one third reported NFTs were ‘easy to understand’, with few changes between 2019 and 2020. In 2020, awareness, use and self-reported understanding of the Warning FOPLs in Mexico were higher than for NFTs in all countries, and compared with GDA FOPLs in Mexico (p < .001). Mandated Warning FOPLs in Mexico and Chile had substantially higher levels of awareness, use, and understanding than the voluntary Traffic Lights in the UK and Health Star Ratings in Australia (p < .001 for all).ConclusionsMandated easy-to-understand FOPLs are associated with substantially greater levels of self-reported awareness, use and understanding at the population-level compared to NFT and GDA-based labeling systems.

Status of nutrition labeling knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of residents in the community and structural equation modeling analysis.

Unhealthy foods were a major contributor to the occurrence of chronic non-communicable diseases. The promotion of nutrition labeling in the community can effectively help residents to choose healthy foods, which plays an important role in the prevention of chronic diseases. However, the public awareness of this measure is not clear. Our study used a structural equation model based on the KAP theory to analyze the interaction mechanisms among knowledge, attitude, and practice and aimed to evaluate the relationships among nutrition knowledge, attitude, and practice of residents, which can provide the basis of policy formulation for nutrition education and behavior intervention. We carried out a cross-sectional study from May 2022 to July 2022 in the "Community Health Service Center", and each "Community Service Station" in Yinchuan use a self-designed questionnaire and convenience sampling to evaluate resident nutrition labeling KAP status. This study adopted the structural equation modeling approach to analyze a survey of Chinese individuals through the cognitive processing model, interrelated nutrition knowledge, nutrition label knowledge, attitude, and practice. According to the principle of sample size estimation, a total of 636 individuals were investigated, with the ratio of male to female being 1:1.2. The average score of community residents' nutrition knowledge was 7.48 ± 3.24, and the passing rate was 19.4%. Most residents had a positive attitude toward nutrition labeling, but the awareness rate was only 32.7% and the utilization rate was 38.5%. Univariate analysis showed that women had higher knowledge scores than men (p < 0.05), and young people had higher scores than older adults (p < 0.05), and the difference was significant. Based on the KAP structural equation model (SEM), residents' nutrition knowledge will directly affect their attitude toward nutrition labeling. Attitude played a greater role as an indirect effect between knowledge and behavior, while trust limits residents' practice of nutrition labeling and then affects their practice. It could be explained that nutrition knowledge was the prerequisite for label reading behavior, and attitude was the intermediary effect. The nutrition knowledge and nutrition labeling knowledge of respondents hardly directly support the practice of nutrition labeling, but it can influence the use behavior by forming a positive attitude. The KAP model is suitable for explaining residents' use of nutrition labeling in the region. Future research should focus on better understanding the motivations of residents to use nutrition labeling and the opportunity to use nutrition labeling in real-life shopping settings.

Pemahaman dan Penerimaan Label Gizi Front of Pack Produk Snack oleh Siswa SMA di Depok

Labels play a crucial role in providing essential information that helps consumers choose their food products. Despite this, the comprehension and acceptance of nutrition labels remain low. The objective of this study was to compare the understanding and acceptance of nutrition labels with and without Front of Pack (FoP) in adolescents aged between 15 and 18 years. The FoP nutrition label is a labeling system that simplifies nutritional information and displays it on the front of food packaging. It includes three types: daily intake guide (DIG), multi-traffic light (MTL), and health star rating (HSR). The study targeted high school students in Depok, selected through stratified sampling based on school accreditation. Only 11.1% of respondents reported reading nutrition labels. The results of the Chi-square test indicated a significant difference (p &lt;0.05) in the use of nutrition labels based on exposure to nutrition, nutritional knowledge, and label reading. ANOVA test results showed significant differences in comprehension and acceptance of the four labels. The HSR label was the most comprehensible (63.7%), followed by DIG (58.7%), nutrition fact panel/NFP (51.1%), and MTL (45.7%). Additionally, respondents rated the HSR label as the most preferred, attractive, and easiest to understand.

Lectura, interpretación y uso del etiquetado nutricional en la decisión de compra de adultos de un barrio de Asunción

Introduction. Nutritional labeling informs the consumer about the type and content of nutrients, favoring the appropriate selection according to their needs or health conditions. Objective. Evaluate the reading, interpretation and use of nutritional food labeling in the purchase decision of adults from the Villa Morra neighborhood of Asunción consulted in June 2018. Materials and methods. Cross-sectional descriptive study, with the application of a structured questionnaire through an interview, with questions about sociodemographic data, reading frequency, reasons for reading or not, use of nutritional labeling, content reviewed by the consumer, interpretation of the terms contribution and Percentage of Daily Value (%DV) and agreement with the implementation of front labeling. Results. Of 100 interviewees, 73% reported reading (always and sometimes) the nutritional labeling, 48% of these use it for the selection and purchase of food and 75% of the general population you do not know or do not interpret the terms of portion and %DV. The reasons associated with reading were "concern about the health of their family" (36%), "being on a diet" (33%), and "curiosity" (23%); not reading was referred to for reasons such as "due to lack of time" (61.7%) and "because it is not well visible, it is very small" (28%); 91% think implementation of the front labeling of food as an alert method is necessary. Conclusion. The reading of nutritional labeling is frequent, but its correct interpretation and use is not, which is why it is urgent to establish educational campaigns aimed at the population and implement front labeling to facilitate and speed up reading and interpretation.

Association of Social Networking Sites Use with Actual and Ideal Body Shapes, and Eating Behaviors in Healthy Young Japanese Women.

Recent reports have associated the use of social networking sites (SNS) with the drive for thinness in young women; however, its influence on their actual body shape and eating behaviors (EB) remains unclear. We aimed to examine the effect of SNS use on body mass index (BMI), body image (BI), and EB in young women. Participants included 196 healthy women (20-29 years) who answered questions about their SNS use, height, weight, BI and EB via a web-based survey. First, the correlation between time spent on SNS and each variable was determined. Participants were then divided into quartiles according to the duration of daily SNS use as long (≥3 h, n = 52) and short (<1 h, n = 54), and the data were then compared between the groups. Correlation analysis showed that the longer the duration of daily SNS use, the significantly lower the BMI, the use of nutrition labels, and the frequency of consumption of milk and dairy products. The long group had significantly lower BMI and ideal BI than the short group. The results suggest that spending more time on SNS in young women may be associated with thinner actual and ideal body shapes and poorer access to health information and healthy foods.

Urban-Rural Disparities in Knowledge, Use and Perceived Benefits of Nutrition Labels in China: Evidence from 10 Provinces.

There exist significant gaps in nutritional status between urban and rural populations in China. The previous literature has shown that more knowledge and usage of nutrition labels are instrumental in improving diet quality and health. The aim of the study is to analyze: (1) Are there urban-rural disparities in consumer knowledge, use and perceived benefits of nutrition labels in China; (2) If so, what are the magnitudes of the disparities; (3) What can explain the disparities, and how can the disparities be reduced? The Oaxaca-Blinder (O-B) decomposition is utilized to analyze the predictors of urban-rural disparities in nutrition labels based on a self-conducted study of Chinese individuals. The information from a total of 1635 individuals (aged 11-81 years) across China in 2016 was collected in the survey. We find that rural respondents have less knowledge, lower usage and perceived benefits of nutrition labels than their urban counterparts. Demographics, focus on food safety, frequent shopping locations and income jointly explain 98.9% of the disparity in the knowledge of nutrition labels. Nutrition label knowledge is the predictor which contributes most to urban-rural disparity in label use-accounting for 29.6% of the disparity. Nutrition label knowledge and use are the two biggest predictors of disparities in perceived benefits-accounting for 29.7% and 22.8% of the disparity in perceived benefits, respectively. Our study suggests that policies aiming to improve income and education, as well as raising awareness of food safety in rural areas, are promising in closing the urban-rural disparities in nutrition labels knowledge, use, diet quality and health in China.

Utilization of nutrition labels and related factors among patients with diabetes in Korea.

The prevalence of diabetes has continued to increase globally. Changes in eating habits, lack of exercise, increased stress, and aging are major contributors. Glycemic control is the key strategy of diabetes management. The purpose of this study was to analyze the utilization of nutrition labels and related factors among patients with diabetes. Data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. General, health-related, diabetes-related characteristics from 1,587 adults with diabetes history were included. Nutrition label utilization was assessed with awareness and use of nutrition labels and effects on food choice. For statistical analyses, chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed. The prevalence of awareness, use, and effects of nutrition labels on food choice among diabetic patients were 48.8%, 11.4%, and 9.6%, respectively. High monthly income, walking frequency, family history of diabetes, younger age at diagnosis, and shorter duration of diabetes were associated with higher nutrition label awareness. Nutrition label use and effect on food choice were higher in women, those with high monthly income, those diagnosed at younger than 45 yrs, those with diabetes for less than 10 yrs, those with meal therapy, or patients who had undergone a fundus examination. Nutrition label utilization status was low in Korean patients with diabetes. Strategies are needed to promote nutrition label use as a diet management tool for patients with diabetes.

Factors Influencing the Eating Behaviors of Young Adults Using the 2013-2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

There is a substantial gap in the eating behaviors between the sexes. We aimed to analyze the predictors of eating behaviors by sex in the young adult population. We used the data of the sixth and seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency last 2013-2018. Data from 2,502 women and 2,101 men aged 19-29 yr were included in the analysis using frequency, percentage, x 2-test, and multiple logistic regression. Education (0.612, CI=0.465∼0.805), economic status (2.104, CI=1.435-3.086), marital status (3.162, CI=2.356∼4.243), and household structure (0.403, CI=0.208∼0.782) were identified to predict the frequency of dining-out in women, while marital status (0.302, CI=0.121∼0.749), economic activity (1.969, CI=1.483∼2.613), and household structure (0.243, CI=0.137∼0.432) predicted dining-out frequency in men. The current smoking status predicted most eating behaviors, including breakfast skipping frequency (1.864, CI=1.318∼2.637), use of supplements (2.062, CI=1.439∼2.953), and use of nutrition labels (1.545, 1.084∼2.204) for men. Meanwhile, nutrition labeling was used less in both men (0.550, CI=0.343∼0.882) and women (0.646, CI=0.473∼0.882) who subjective body recognition as obesity. The factors that primarily predicted the frequency of dining out in young women and the behavior of breakfast skipping, use of nutrition labels, and frequency of dining-out in men can be used as foundational data for developing sex-specific intervention programs to improve eating behaviors.