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Reading Food Labels, combined with
exercise, can lead to Weight Loss
September 2010--
Nutritional science and food marketing has
become so sophisticated in recent decades
that a trip to the supermarket can require a
complete nutritional re-education. The
average consumer needs to be on guard
against preservatives, added fat, colorings,
and calories, false advertising, and
sophisticated but misleading labels.
Although guidelines for the information of
food labels have gotten a bad rap in recent
years a new study published in the Journal
of Consumer Affairs suggests
that observing them may lead to weight loss,
especially for women entering their middle
years.
Using information on whether consumers read
food labels the first time they buy a
product, the research finds that people who
observe the labels and do not exercise
display a slightly greater likelihood of
weight loss than those who do exercise but
do not pay attention to food labels.
By simply adding an exercise routine to
their lifestyle regular food label readers
can increase their changes of losing weight.
Women between the ages of 37-50 years are
more likely to read food labels than men,
and are therefore more likely to lose
weight.”
Previous research has focused on food
marketing and behaviour but has not followed
related weight loss over time in this
middle-aged demographic group. The data for
this study was taken from a National
Longitudinal Survey of Youth compiled from
2002-2006. The survey began in 1979 with
over 12,000 male and female participants
born in the years 1957-1964.
Over fifty percent of participants reported
that they were trying to lose or control
weight.
Of these participants, almost
seventy percent were obese or overweight.
Almost fifty percent were actively reading
food labels on their first time purchase and
slightly more than twenty-five percent were
actively participating in vigorous exercise.
Overall, older individuals are less likely
to lose weight by reading food labels, and
general participation in vigorous exercise
drops off after age forty-five.
Additionally, the Nutrition Labeling and
Education Act (NLEA), enacted in 1994,
requires all food manufactures to present
essential nutrient and ingredient
information on food packages.
According to the recently-passed health care
reform bill there will be easier access to
nutritional information at restaurants,
retail food establishments and vending
machines.
Combined with these new findings, it is
likely that this measure will be useful to
those who want to lose weight and read food
labels to make well-informed decision
regarding their diets in and outside their
homes.
Weight loss programs and plans would do well
in augmenting their client’s weight loss
goals with the recommended use of food
labels, in order to maintain a healthy
weight. This is particularly important as
people enter middle age and are at a risk
for heart disease, obesity-related diabetes,
cancer and dementia.
