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Attention to Physical Activity-Equivalent Calorie Information on Nutrition Facts Labels: An Eye-Tracking
Julia A Wolfson1, Dan J Graham2, Sara N Bleich3
1Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI.
Objective:
Investigate attention to Nutrition Facts Labels (NFLs) with numeric only vs both numeric and activity-equivalent calorie information, and attitudes toward activity-equivalent calories.
Design:
An eye-tracking camera monitored participants' viewing of NFLs for 64 packaged foods with either standard NFLs or modified NFLs. Participants self-reported demographic information and diet-related attitudes and behaviors.
Setting:
Participants came to the Behavioral Medicine Lab at Colorado State University in spring, 2015.
Participants:
The researchers randomized 234 participants to view NFLs with numeric calorie information only (n = 108) or numeric and activity-equivalent calorie information (n = 126).
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Attention to and attitudes about activity-equivalent calorie information.
Analysis:
Differences by experimental condition and weight loss intention (overall and within experimental condition) were assessed using t tests and Pearson's chi-square tests of independence.
Results:
Overall, participants viewed numeric calorie information on 20% of NFLs for 249 ms. Participants in the modified NFL condition viewed activity-equivalent information on 17% of NFLs for 231 ms. Most participants indicated that activity-equivalent calorie information would help them decide whether to eat a food (69%) and that they preferred both numeric and activity-equivalent calorie information on NFLs (70%).
Conclusions And Implications:
Participants used activity-equivalent calorie information on NFLs and found this information helpful for making food decisions.
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