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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Differences in consumer use of food labels by weight loss strategies and demographic characteristics

Authors: Sara N. Bleich, Julia A. Wolfson

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Little is known about national patterns in the use of fast food and packaged food labels among adults by weight loss strategies and demographic characteristics.

Methods

We analyzed the Consumer Behavior Module in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2010 among adults (N = 9,690). For each of the outcome variables – use of packed food and fast food menu labels – multiple logistic regressions were used to adjust for potential differences in population characteristics by weight loss activities and demographic characteristics.

Results

Overall, 69 percent of adults reported they would use fast food information and 76 percent reported using the nutrition facts panel on packaged foods. Adults trying to lose weight had a greater likelihood of reporting use of nutrition information to choose fast foods (OR = 1.72; 95 % CI: 1.29, 2.29) and using the nutrition facts panel on food labels (OR = 1.92; 95 % CI: 1.60, 2.30). Black and Hispanic adults were more likely to report using ingredients lists on packaged foods compared to Whites (White −63 %, Black/Hispanic −68 %, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Regardless of weight loss activities or demographic characteristics, a majority of adults report they would use fast food nutrition information.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Differences in consumer use of food labels by weight loss strategies and demographic characteristics
Authors
Sara N. Bleich
Julia A. Wolfson
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-2651-z

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