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

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.

Fig. 1

Predicted probability of seeing, using or reporting one would use fast food menu labels by education level. NHANES 2007–2010¹

Fig. 2

Predicted probability of using food labels by race/ethnicity. NHANES 2007-2010¹