Effect of nutrition labels on dietary quality among college students: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Context: College students are at an elevated risk of poor nutrition and eating habits.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to examine and quantify the effect of nutrition labels on diet quality in college students.

Data sources: Literature searches were conducted in 4 electronic databases.

Study selection: Peer-reviewed publications that assessed the effect of nutrition label use on food choice or dietary intake in college students were included.

Data extraction: Twenty-two randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and pre-post studies were identified.

Results: Sixteen studies found label exposure to be associated with improved diet. Of the 13 studies reporting calories selected or consumed, 8 found that posting labels at the point of purchase decreased calories, 4 found no effect, and 1 found that calories consumed increased after posting labels. Nine of the 12 studies assessing noncaloric measures found that nutrition labels positively affected diet quality. Meta-analysis of pre-post studies found a decrease of 36 kcal (P < 0.05) with label exposure.

Conclusions: Nutrition labels had a moderate but positive effect on dietary intake of college students.

Keywords: college; diet; menu labels; nutrition labels; university.