Use of Trans Fat Information on Food Labels and Its Determinants in a Multiethnic College Student Population

• Published in: Journal of nutrition education and behavior Vol. 42; no. 5; pp. 307 - 314
• Main Authors: Jasti, Sunitha, Kovacs, Szilvia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.09.2010; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: administration & dosage; Adolescent; Adult; analysis; At Risk Persons; Case Studies; College Students; Commuter Colleges; Consumer Health Information; Consumer Health Information - statistics & numerical data; consumer information; Correlation; Cross-Sectional Studies; Descriptive labeling; Diet; dietary fat; Eating Habits; ethnic differences; Ethnic Groups; Ethnicity; fat intake; Female; Food; Food Labeling; fried foods; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Gender Differences; Health Behavior; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Promotion; Humans; Information Sources; Internal Medicine; Male; Minority & ethnic groups; Minority Groups; multicultural diversity; nationalities and ethnic groups; Nutrition; nutrition information; nutrition knowledge; nutrition labeling; psychology; sociodemographic characteristics; statistics & numerical data; Student Attitudes; Students; Students - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; trans fat, food label; Trans fats; trans fatty acids; Trans Fatty Acids - administration & dosage; Trans Fatty Acids - analysis; Universities; urban areas; Urban Schools; Young Adult; young adults; college students; ethnic groups; trans fat, food label
• ISSN: 1499-4046; 1878-2620; 1878-2620; 1708-8259
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2009.06.004

To examine the correlates of trans fat knowledge and trans fat label use; to examine the influence of trans fat knowledge, trans fat label use, and dietary attitudes on intake of high trans fat food. Cross-sectional survey. An urban commuter college. Two hundred twenty-two college students. Trans fat knowledge, food label use, high trans fat food consumption, dietary attitudes, and sociodemographic factors. Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis assessed relationships between trans fat knowledge, trans fat label use, and consumption of high trans fat food. Thirty-seven percent of participants reported never using trans fat information on food labels. Males and minority ethnic groups were less likely to report always using trans fat label information and displayed lower trans fat knowledge compared to females and non-Hispanic whites, respectively. Trans fat knowledge and importance of eating a low-fat diet were positively associated with both food label use and use of trans fat information on food labels. Nonuse of food labels and trans fat information on food labels were associated with higher consumption of fried food. Trans fat education and promotion of food label use is needed in college students, especially in high-risk groups such as males and ethnic minorities.