Reading nutrition labels and fat consumption in adolescents

Huang, Terry T.-K.; Kaur, Harsohena; McCarter, Kevin S.; Nazir, Niaman; Choi, Won S.; Ahluwalia, Jasjit S.

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2004.02.005

« Previous Next »Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 35, Issue 5 , Pages 399-401, November 2004

Reading nutrition labels and fat consumption in adolescents

Terry T.-K. Huang, Ph.D., M.P.H.
- Energy Metabolism Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging and Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA (T.T.-K.H.)
- Address correspondence to: Dr. Terry T.-K. Huang, Energy Metabolism Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA HNRCA at Tufts University, 711 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Harsohena Kaur, M.D., M.P.H.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA (H.K.)
Kevin S. McCarter, Ph.D.
- Quintiles Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, USA (K.S.M.)
Niaman Nazir, M.B.B.S., M.P.H.
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA (N.N., W.S.C., J.S.A.)
Won S. Choi, Ph.D., M.P.H.
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA (N.N., W.S.C., J.S.A.)
Jasjit S. Ahluwalia, M.D., M.P.H., M.S.
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA (N.N., W.S.C., J.S.A.)

Accepted 4 February 2004.

Abstract

We studied the relationship between reading nutrition labels and percent calorie intake from fat. In adolescent boys, reading nutrition labels was associated with higher fat intake. In girls, fat intake did not differ by frequency of nutrition label reading. Nutrition label reading does not translate into healthier diet in adolescents.

Keywords: Nutrition label, Fat, Diet, Energy, Adolescent