Use of the Nutrition Facts Label in Chronic Disease Management: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Abstract
Dietary modifications are common treatment strategies for patients with various chronic diseases, but it is unclear how often these individuals read food labels. The objective of this study was to determine whether patients with chronic disease who are advised to change their eating habits read nutrition labels more than patients who have not been so advised, and whether that impacts their energy and nutrient intake. Analysis of the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of the United States population, was performed. Adults (20 years of age or older) who participated in the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and who had type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and/or hyperlipidemia were included for analysis. There were 3,748 unweighted participants, which represents 170,958,166 in the US population. Proportions of patients with chronic disease who read nutrition labels were compared by chi(2) analysis, mean values of various components of their diet were compared by the two-sample independent t test, and odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were determined by logistic regression. Among patients with chronic disease, the odds of reading food labels when told by their doctor or another health professional to reduce calories or weight was 50% higher than in those without physician intervention (odds ratio=1.50, 95% confidence interval: 1.12 to 2.00). Those who read food labels consumed less energy, saturated fat, carbohydrates, and sugar, and more fiber than those who did not. These findings point to the value of dietary counseling in chronic disease management.
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In many cases, differences were observed for use of specific nutrient information on the food label; for example, only use of sugar information on the label, rather than general use of the food label, was associated with lower consumption of added sugar.
“In many cases, these differences were observed for use of specific nutrient information on the food label; for example, only use of sugar information on the label, rather than general use of the food label, was associated with lower consumption of added sugar.”
From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [94]
Generally, women; persons with greater education, existing chronic disease, or greater awareness of diet-disease relations; and persons counseled by their physician to change their diet were more likely to report using nutrition labels to help make decisions about foods.
“Generally, women; persons with greater education, existing chronic disease, or greater awareness of diet-disease relations; and persons counseled by their physician to change their diet were more likely to report using nutrition labels to help make decisions about foods.”
From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [94]
Greater reported use of food labels was inconsistently associated with certain dietary habits, such as lower consumption of added sugars, total fat, and total calories and higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, and dietary fiber.
“Greater reported use of food labels was inconsistently associated with certain dietary habits, such as lower consumption of added sugars, total fat, and total calories and higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, and dietary fiber.”
From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [94]
Some studies did not show any association between reported awareness or use of the food label and many or all dietary habits.
“Some studies did not show any association between reported awareness or use of the food label and many or all dietary habits.”
From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [94]
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- Authors
- Post, R. E., Mainous, A. G., Diaz, V. A., Matheson, E. M., & Everett, C. J.
- Affiliations
- Medical University of South Carolina (US)
- Corresponding author
- Post, Robert E.
- Venue
- Journal of the American Dietetic Association
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2010-04
- Volume
- 110
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 628-632
- ISSN
- 0002-8223 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2036564826
- Cited by
- 121
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 6.05
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of the American Dietetic Association (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Health Resources and Services Administration (D55HP05150)
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
- Keywords
- Nutrition Facts label, food label reading, chronic disease management, nutrition counseling, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, energy intake, nutrient intake, saturated fat, dietary fiber, sugar consumption, carbohydrate intake, weight loss
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Chronic Disease, Cross-Sectional Studies, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Female, Food Labeling, Humans, Hyperlipidemias, Hypertension, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Male, Middle Aged, Nutrition Surveys, Patient Education as Topic, United States, Health Behavior, Chi-Square Distribution, Logistic Models, Odds Ratio, Young Adult
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