Food Label Use and Its Relation to Dietary Intake among US Adults
Abstract
Rates of diet-related chronic disease combined with the lack of current data on patterns of food label use by the US population warrant re-examination of the use and potential influence of this public health tool. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of food label use and the association between food label use and nutrient intake in a nationally representative sample of US adults who participated in the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Data on food label use were collected during the interview portion of the survey, and nutrient intake was estimated using the average of two 24-hour dietary recalls. In this sample, 61.6% of participants reported using the Nutrition Facts panel, 51.6% looked at the list of ingredients, 47.2% looked at serving size, and 43.8% reviewed health claims at least sometimes when deciding to purchase a food product. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in food label use across all demographic characteristics examined. Significant differences (P<0.05) in mean nutrient intake of total energy, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, dietary fiber, and sugars were observed between food label users and non-users with label users reporting healthier nutrient consumption. The greatest differences observed were for total energy and fat and for use of specific nutrient information on the food label. Despite food label use being associated with improved dietary factors, label use alone is not expected to be sufficient in modifying behavior ultimately leading to improved health outcomes.
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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 [87]
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 [87]
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 [87]
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 [87]
In 2005-2006, about 60% of US adults reported using the nutrient data on the Nutrition Facts panel, and about half reported looking at the ingredient list and serving size information.
“In 2005–2006, about 60% of US adults reported using the nutrient data on the Nutrition Facts panel, and about half reported looking at the ingredient list and serving size information.87”
From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [87]
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- Authors
- Ollberding, N. J., Wolf, R. L., & Contento, I.
- Affiliations
- Columbia University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Ollberding, Nicholas Jay
- Venue
- Journal of the American Dietetic Association
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2010-08
- Volume
- 110
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 1233-1237
- ISSN
- 0002-8223 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2082498815
- Cited by
- 255
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 24 · 2015: 25 · 2014: 30 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 17
- FWCI
- 13.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of the American Dietetic Association (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- 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
- food label use, nutrition facts panel, ingredient lists, serving size, health claims, nutrient intake, dietary fat, sodium intake, dietary fiber, saturated fat, cholesterol, energy intake, sugar consumption, diet-related chronic diseases, demographic differences, consumer food choice, United States adults
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Attitude to Health, Energy Intake, Decision Making, Diet, Dietary Fats, Dietary Fiber, Female, Food Labeling, Humans, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Male, Middle Aged, Nutrition Surveys, Obesity, Mental Recall, Health Behavior, Dietary Sucrose, Young Adult
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