Does Pregnancy Increase Use and Awareness of Nutrition Information in Food Labels?
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Does Pregnancy Increase Use and Awareness of Nutrition Information in Food Labels? Juhee Kim1 · Satomi Imai1,2 · Holly Mathews3
© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2017
Abstract Objectives This study aims to examine food label use, specific reading behaviors and the awareness of dietary recommendations among U.S. pregnant women in comparison to non-pregnant women. Methods A crosssectional data analysis was conducted using a representative national sample of U.S. women aged 16 to 44 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2006 (n = 1875). Food label users were defined as woman who used the Nutrition Facts panel when making a food choice in the frequency of always, most of the time, or sometimes. Pregnancy status was assessed in relation to food label use, specific reading behaviors and the awareness of dietary recommendations by conducting hierarchical multivariable logistic regression models including covariates of SES and perceived health and weight variables. Results The prevalence of using food labels at purchase greatly differs by SES, perceived health and weight variables, and awareness of dietary recommendations but not by pregnancy: 68.6% of pregnant and 66.1% of nonpregnant women used food labels in the U.S. However, after controlling for SES and perceived health and weight status, pregnant women are more likely to read food labels than their counterparts (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.07–1.89). Pregnant women were less likely to check cholesterol * Juhee Kim [email protected] 1
Department of Public Health, Broody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, 1600 Moye Blvd, Lakeside Annex 7, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
2
Center for Health Systems Research and Development, Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
3
Department of Anthropology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
(OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.44–0.77) and calories from fat content (OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.42–0.89), after adjusting for SES variables. Pregnant women may not have a higher awareness of dietary recommendations compared to nonpregnant women in the U.S. Conclusions While pregnancy itself is a factor that appears to encourage the reading of food labels, pregnancy does not encourage positive reading behaviors. The findings suggest a great need for prenatal nutrition education programs in the U.S. Keywords Pregnancy · Food label use · Food label reading behaviors, awareness of dietary recommendations · National health and nutrition examination survey significance
Significance What is already known on this subject? About 60% of U.S. adults used food labels when they purchased food products, and adults with chronic health conditions use more food labels. However, there is no information available about whether pregnant women are more likely to read food labels than are non-pregnant women. What does this study add? U.S. pregnant women are more likely to read food labels but do not pay attention to specific contents such as
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