Factors Associated with Self-Reported Menu-Labeling Usage among US Adults.

backgroundMenu labeling can help people select foods and beverages with fewer calories and is a potential population-based strategy to reduce obesity and diet-related chronic diseases in the United States.

objectiveThe aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the prevalence of menu-labeling use among adults and its association with sociodemographic, behavioral, and policy factors.

methodsThe 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from 17 states, which included 100,141 adults who noticed menu labeling at fast-food or chain restaurants ("When calorie information is available in the restaurant, how often does this information help you decide what to order?") were used. Menu-labeling use was categorized as frequent (always/most of the time), moderate (half the time/sometimes), and never. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associations among sociodemographic, behavioral, and policy factors with menu-labeling use.

resultsOverall, of adults who noticed menu labeling, 25.6% reported frequent use of menu labeling, 31.6% reported moderate use, and 42.7% reported that they never use menu labeling. Compared with never users, frequent users were significantly more likely to be younger, female, nonwhite, more educated, high-income, adults who were overweight or obese, physically active, former- or never-smokers, less than daily (<1 time/day) consumers of sugar-sweetened beverage, and living in states where menu-labeling legislation was enacted or proposed.

conclusionsMenu labeling is one method that consumers can use to help reduce their calorie consumption from restaurants. These findings can be used to develop targeted interventions to increase menu-labeling use among subpopulations with lower use.