Relationship Between Use of Food Labels and Nutrition Knowledge of People With Diabetes
- 1 July 1999
- journal article
- Published by SAGE Publications in The Diabetes Educator
- Vol. 25 (4), 549-559
- https://doi.org/10.1177/014572179902500407
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to identity how people with diabetes use food labels to manage their intake of specific nutrients, which information is used on the Nutrition Facts label, and the relationship between food label use and nutrition knowledge. METHODS A total of 190 individuals participated in this study. Data were collected at six different locations in New Jersey using a four-page questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were employed to assess demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants; chi-square was used to test significance of nominal and ordinal data. RESULTS People with diabetes read food label information more often than general consumers; checking sugar content ranked highest. Only 59% of label users referred to the total carbohydrate listings. The level of nutrition knowledge for the majority of participants was "fair" or less, with the remaining scoring "good" and above. The use of nutrition labeling has a limited effect on nutrition knowledge gain. CONCLUSIONS Individuals who received most of their information from healthcare providers had a "good" or better nutrition knowledge score. An education program is needed that teaches people how to apply information from the Nutrition Facts label to make healthy food choices.Keywords
This publication has 9 references indexed in Scilit:
- Perceived Barriers to and Incentives for Participation in a Weight-Loss Program among Low-Income Women in WICJournal of the American Dietetic Association, 1998
- Knowledge and Misconceptions About the Food Label Among Women With Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes MellitusThe Diabetes Educator, 1997
- Who uses nutrition labeling, and what effects does label use have on diet quality?Journal of Nutrition Education, 1995
- Food LabelingDiabetes Care, 1994
- Nutrition Recommendations and Principles for People With Diabetes MellitusDiabetes Care, 1994
- Nutrition knowledge levels about dietary fats and cholesterol: 1983-1988Journal of Nutrition Education, 1993
- Prevalence of reading nutrition and ingredient information on food labels among adult Americans: 1982–1988Journal of Nutrition Education, 1992
- Food LabelingDiabetes Care, 1990
- The Health Belief Model Applied to Understanding Diabetes Regimen ComplianceThe Diabetes Educator, 1985