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.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 207-216 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Appetite |
| Volume | 92 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 1 2015 |
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Keywords
- Claims
- Food label use
- Ingredient lists
- Nutrition knowledge
- Nutrition labels
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Psychology(all)
Cite this
The effects of nutrition knowledge on food label use. A review of the literature. / Miller, Lisa M Soederberg; Cassady, Diana L.
In: Appetite, Vol. 92, 01.09.2015, p. 207-216.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The effects of nutrition knowledge on food label use. A review of the literature
AU - Miller, Lisa M Soederberg
AU - Cassady, Diana L
PY - 2015/9/1
Y1 - 2015/9/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Claims
KW - Food label use
KW - Ingredient lists
KW - Nutrition knowledge
KW - Nutrition labels
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84930932786&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84930932786&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.appet.2015.05.029
DO - 10.1016/j.appet.2015.05.029
M3 - Article
C2 - 26025086
AN - SCOPUS:84930932786
VL - 92
SP - 207
EP - 216
JO - Appetite
JF - Appetite
SN - 0195-6663
ER -