Menu Labeling Utilization and Socioeconomic Status in West Virginia and Mississippi.

J Nutr Educ Behav

Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; Department of Veterans Affairs, Seattle Epidemiologic Research and Information Center, Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA; Seattle-Denver Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Puget Sound Health Care System, Health Services, Seattle, WA.

Published: February 2022

AI Article Synopsis

  • - The study investigated the link between socioeconomic status and how often people notice and use calorie menu labels in West Virginia and Mississippi, two states with high poverty and obesity rates.
  • - Researchers analyzed responses from nearly 9,500 adults using data from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and found that college graduates were significantly more likely to notice (11%) and use (18%) menu labels compared to those with less education.
  • - The findings suggest a need for more research on menu labeling effects across various demographics, highlighting the importance of understanding how education and income influence awareness and use of calorie information in fast food settings.

Article Abstract

Objective: Determine the association between socioeconomic status and self-reported noticing and using calorie menu labels in 2 states with high poverty and obesity.

Design: Cross-sectional study of responses to the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Menu Labeling Module.

Participants: Representative sample of noninstitutionalized adults aged ≥ 18 years in West Virginia and Mississippi (n = 9,469).

Main Outcome Measures: The outcomes were reported noticing and using menu labels to make decisions at fast-food restaurants. Independent variables were highest attained education and federal poverty level (% FPL).

Analysis: Generalized linear models estimated prevalence ratios for noticing and using menu labels. Models mutually adjusted for education, % FPL, age, sex, race/ethnicity, and body mass index.

Results: Eighty-six percent of respondents reported noticing, and 56% reported using menu labels. Compared with individuals with less than high school education, college graduates were 11% more likely to report noticing (95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.18; P < 0.001) and 18% more likely to report using (95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.30; P < 0.01) menu labels. Patterns were similar for % FPL.

Conclusions And Implications: These data support further investigation of menu labels among subgroups and a larger geographic scope. Limitations of the menu labeling module question and the cross-sectional nature of the existing literature warrant additional research.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2021.11.005DOI Listing

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