Factors Associated with Self-Reported Menu-Labeling Usage among US Adults

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nutrition Science
• Health Policy

Background:

• Menu labeling is a strategy to reduce obesity and diet-related chronic diseases in the US.
• It aids consumers in selecting lower-calorie food and beverage options.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the prevalence of menu labeling use among adults.
• To investigate associations between menu labeling use and sociodemographic, behavioral, and policy factors.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study using 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from 17 states (100,141 adults).
• Assessed frequency of menu labeling use (frequent, moderate, never) when calorie information was available.
• Employed multinomial logistic regression to analyze associations with various factors.

Main Results:

• 42.7% of adults never used menu labeling, 31.6% used it moderately, and 25.6% used it frequently.
• Frequent users were more likely to be younger, female, nonwhite, educated, high-income, and overweight/obese.
• Frequent users were also more likely to be physically active, former/never smokers, consume sugar-sweetened beverages less than daily, and reside in states with menu labeling legislation.

Conclusions:

• Menu labeling empowers consumers to reduce restaurant calorie intake.
• Findings suggest developing targeted interventions to boost menu labeling use in specific subpopulations.