Factors associated with nutrition label use among female college students applying the theory of planned behavior

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESUse of nutrition labels in food selection is recommended for consumers. The aim of this study is to examine factors, mainly beliefs explaining nutrition label use in female college students based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).SUBJECTS/METHODSThe subjects were female college students from a university in Seoul, Korea. The survey questionnaire was composed of items examining general characteristics, nutrition label use, behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs, corresponding motivation to comply, and control beliefs. The subjects (n = 300) responded to the questionnaire by self-report, and data from 275 students were analyzed using t-test or χ2-test.RESULTSThe results showed that 37.8% of subjects were nutrition label users. Three out of 15 behavioral beliefs differed significantly by nutrition label use. Nutrition label users agreed more strongly on the benefits of using nutrition labels including 'comparing and selecting better foods' (P < 0.001), 'selecting healthy foods' (P < 0.05). The negative belief of 'annoying' was stronger in non-users than in users (P < 0.001). Three out of 7 sources (parents, siblings, best friend) were important in nutrition label use. Twelve out of 15 control beliefs differed significantly by nutrition label use. These included beliefs regarding constraints of using nutrition labels (e.g., time, spending money for healthy foods) and lack of nutrition knowledge (P < 0.001). Perceived confidence in understanding and applying the specifics of nutrition labels in food selection was also significantly related to nutrition label use (P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSThis study found that the beliefs, especially control beliefs, suggested in the TPB were important in explaining nutrition label use. To promote nutrition label use, nutrition education might focus on increasing perceived control over constraints of using nutrition labels, acquiring skills for checking nutrition labels, as well as the benefits of using nutrition labels and receiving support from significant others for nutrition label use.

Eating habits, physical activity, nutrition knowledge, and self-efficacy by obesity status in upper-grade elementary school students

“…Contrary to our expectation, perceived confidence in eating behaviors were not significantly different by obesity status in boys or girls. This finding is contrary to a previous study on self-efficacy for nutrition behavior [41]. This might be partly explained by the relatively high score of eating self-efficacy in both NW and OW children.…”

Correlates of nutrition label use among college students and young adults: a review

“…All but two studies were published in 2005 or later. Studies were conducted in four countries: the USA (n 13) (42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49)(50)(51)(52)(53)(54) , the UK (n 1) (55) , Canada (n 1) (56) and South Korea (n 1) (57) . Among the US-based studies, two were conducted in the West (California, Oregon) (48,54) , four in the South (Georgia, Missouri, Louisiana, Texas) (42,49,51,53) , four in the Northeast (Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, Connecticut) (43,46,47,50) and three in the Midwest (Nebraska, Minnesota, Ohio) (44,45,52) .…”

“…Females were more likely to use labels than males; label usage, in turn, was related to more healthful eating habits Lim et al (57) , 2015 Label users (37·8 %) and non-users (62·2 %) did not differ in age, class year, height or weight. Label users had higher positive behavioural beliefs and beliefs in the benefits of label usage than non-users, and lower scores for negative behavioural beliefs (e.g.…”

“…self-efficacy was also documented to be positively associated with nutrition label use (42,57) . Several studies found that nutrition knowledge and education predicted nutrition label use.…”

“…Seven studies reported participants' BMI or body weight status based on BMI (i.e. underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity), five of which were selfreported (47,48,50,55,57) and two based on objectively measured height and weight (42,45) . Martinez et al (50) found that overweight or obese college students were significantly more likely to use nutrition labels in making lower-calorie and healthier food choices in dining halls.…”