There is a study called the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) that is performed each year. Along with many health and disease parameters, the study generates data about what, how much, when and why Americans eat what we do.
NHANES 2005-2066 and two studies published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Assocation were just completed and here is some information they found:
- People that read food labels, on average, consume less calories, less total fat, less saturated fat, less cholesterol, less sodium, less sugar, and more dietary fiber.
- 61.6% of respondents to NHANES said they read the nutrition facts panels, 51.6% examine the list of ingredients, 47.2% read the serving size and 43.8% review health claims at least sometimes when deciding whether to buy a food product.
- Food packaging labeled with healthful nutrition labels has potential to increase purchase of healthy foods versus less healthy food choices.
- Reading food labels is associated with improved dietary factors and healthful eating patterns.