The effects of nutrition knowledge on food label use. A review of the literature

Abstract

Nutrition information on food labels is an important source of nutrition information but is typically underutilized by consumers. This review examined whether consumer nutrition knowledge is important for communication of nutrition information through labels on packaged foods. A cognitive processing model posits that consumers with prior knowledge are more likely to use label information effectively, that is, focus on salient information, understand information, and make healthful decisions based on this information. Consistent with this model, the review found that nutrition knowledge provides support for food label use. However, nutrition knowledge measures varied widely in terms of the dimensions they included and the extensiveness of the assessment. Relatively few studies investigated knowledge effects on the use of ingredient lists and claims, compared to nutrition facts labels. We also found an overreliance on convenience samples relying on younger adults, limiting our understanding of how knowledge supports food label use in later life. Future research should 1) investigate which dimensions, or forms, of nutrition knowledge are most critical to food label use and dietary decision making and 2) determine whether increases in nutrition knowledge can promote great use of nutrition information on food labels.

Relationship between awareness and use of nutrition labels and obesity

“…Women prevalence was significantly associated with the use of nutrition label, age, marital status, household income, and educational level, adjusted for nutrition label use [13]. A review of literature reported that nutrition label use was significantly associated with nutritional knowledge [17]. As there is a saying that states knowledge is power, nutrition knowledge gives consumers an opportunity to become aware and appropriately use nutrition labels [17].…”

“…A review of literature reported that nutrition label use was significantly associated with nutritional knowledge [17]. As there is a saying that states knowledge is power, nutrition knowledge gives consumers an opportunity to become aware and appropriately use nutrition labels [17]. Therefore, obese subjects should be educated on the importance of understanding nutrition labels in order to determine accurate information.…”

“…Therefore, the prevention and management strategy of obesity should be to reinforce consumers' perception and use of nutrition labeling of foods [8]. Previous studies have investigated the predictors, strategies, impacts, and effectiveness on nutrition label use [7,8,[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. Studies on the factors associating nutrition labeling and obesity are limited.…”

Change in patient nutritional knowledge following coronary artery bypass graft surgery

“…In a study highlighting the effects of dietary education on 200 patients following CABG surgery, it was found that 41% ate mixed-grain bread, 31% ate white bread, and only 28% ate brown bread, which points toward the necessity of forming new healthy eating patterns by providing education and nutritional counselling (Szczepariska, Brodzikowska, & Calyniuk, 2014). Moreover, the more consumers know about nutrition, the more likely it is that they will understand and consult nutritional information on food labels (Soederberg Miller & Cassady, 2015). In previous studies significant increases in patient understanding and motivation were found over the course of the study periods, which contributed to significant decreases in medication compliance rates for cardiovascular complications (Coyan et al, 2014).…”

Food bar labels: consumer behaviour and veracity of the available information

“…According to Miller and Cassady (2015), food product labels and the nutritional information provided on them are intended to provide basic information for consumers concerning the product at the time of purchase, and are thus one of the most important instruments to promote healthy eating habits. This information directly influences purchasing behaviour, enabling consumers to judge globally the nutritional quality of the food, and thus allow them to make more appropriate food choices.…”