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Do dietary intakes affect search for nutrient information on food labels?

Author

Listed:
  • Jordan Lin, Chung-Tung
  • Lee, Jonq-Ying
  • Yen, Steven T.

Abstract

Nutrition labels on food packages are designed to promote and protect public health by providing nutrition information so that consumers can make informed dietary choices. High levels of total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol in diets are linked to increased blood cholesterol levels and a greater risk of heart disease. Therefore, an understanding of consumer use of total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol information on food labels has important implications for public health and nutrition education. This study explores the association between dietary intakes of these three nutrients and psychological or demographic factors and the search for total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol information on food labels. Psychology literature suggests a negative association between intakes of these nutrients and probability of search for their information on food labels. Health behavior theories also suggest perceived benefits and costs of using labels and perceived capability of using labels are associated with the search behavior. We estimate the relationship between label information search and its predictors using logistic regressions. Our samples came from the 1994-1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals and Diet and Health Knowledge Survey conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture. Results suggest that search for total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol information on food labels is less likely among individuals who consume more of the three nutrients, respectively. The search is also related to perceived benefits and costs of using the label, perceived capability of using the label, knowledge of nutrition and fats, perceived efficacy of diets in reducing the risk of illnesses, perceived importance of nutrition in food shopping, perceived importance of a healthy diet, and awareness of linkage between excessive consumption of the nutrients and health problems. These findings suggest encouraging search of food label information among consumers with unhealthy dietary habits would need innovative approaches. Yet, nutrition education can be instrumental in encouraging this search by stimulating motivation and providing technical help.

Suggested Citation

  • Jordan Lin, Chung-Tung & Lee, Jonq-Ying & Yen, Steven T., 2004. "Do dietary intakes affect search for nutrient information on food labels?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 59(9), pages 1955-1967, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:59:y:2004:i:9:p:1955-1967
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Ying (Jessica) Cao & David R. Just & Calum Turvey & Brian Wansink, 2015. "Existing Food Habits and Recent Choices Lead to Disregard of Food Safety Announcements," Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society/Societe canadienne d'agroeconomie, vol. 63(4), pages 491-511, December.
    2. Falola, Abraham, 2014. "Towards Nutrition Security: Food Label Use Among Nigerians," International Journal of Food and Agricultural Economics (IJFAEC), Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Department of Economics and Finance, vol. 2(2), pages 1-8, April.
    3. Manoj Hastak & Anusree Mitra & Debra J. Ringold, 2020. "Do consumers view the nutrition facts panel when making healthfulness assessments of food products? Antecedents and consequences," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(2), pages 395-416, June.
    4. Angelo Corallo & Maria Elena Latino & Marta Menegoli & Biagia De Devitiis & Rosaria Viscecchia, 2019. "Human Factor in Food Label Design to Support Consumer Healthcare and Safety: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-14, July.
    5. Onozaka, Yuko & Lind Melbye, Elisabeth & Hansen, Havard, 2012. "What If You Stop and Think About it? Nutrition Logos and Product Selection Behavior," 2012 Annual Meeting, August 12-14, 2012, Seattle, Washington 124874, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    6. Caillavet, France & Nichele, Veronique & Soler, Louis-Georges, 2008. "Are nutritional claims an adequate tool for public health? Evidence from food purchases in France," 2008 International Congress, August 26-29, 2008, Ghent, Belgium 44007, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    7. Rahkovsky, Ilya & Lin, Biing-Hwan & Lin, Chung-Tung Jordan & Lee, Jonq-Ying, 2013. "Effects of the Guiding Stars Program on purchases of ready-to-eat cereals with different nutritional attributes," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 100-107.
    8. Azhar Susanto & Meiryani Meiryani, 2019. "The impact of Environmental Accounting Information System Alignment on Firm Performance and Environmental Performance: A case of Small and Medium Enterprises s of Indonesia," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 9(2), pages 229-236.
    9. Banterle, Alessandro & Cavaliere, Alessia, 2014. "Is there a relationship between product attributes, nutrition labels and excess weight? Evidence from an Italian region," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(P1), pages 241-249.
    10. Gregory Colson & Carola Grebitus, 2017. "Relationship between Children's BMI and Parents’ Preferences for Kids’ Yogurts with and without Front of Package Health Signals," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 151-159, April.
    11. Karnik, Harshada & Peterson, Hikaru Hanawa, 2018. "Impacts of Point-of-Sales Nutritional Labels and Nutrition Education on Healthful Food Purchase at Rural Grocery Stores: A Case Study," 2018 Annual Meeting, August 5-7, Washington, D.C. 273898, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    12. Jae Hong Joo & Doo Woong Lee & Dong-Woo Choi & Eun-Cheol Park, 2020. "Association between Food Label Unawareness and Loss of Renal Function in Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study in South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-14, March.

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