Reading Food Labels, Combined with Exercise, Can Lead to Weight Loss

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Reading Food Labels, Combined with Exercise, Can Lead to Weight Loss

http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/PressRelease/pressReleaseId-81717.html

Pullman, WA—September 8, 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.

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