Female College Students' Attitudes About Body Image and Food Labels and How They Affect Purchasing Behavior

Abstract

Nutrient labels were placed in front of hot entrees served at a northeastern college cafeteria for 2 weeks. Female students were invited to complete an online survey to evaluate attitudes and knowledge about food labels. Statistical analysis was completed on 281 surveys. Students who counted calories regularly and had weight concerns were more likely to be influenced by cafeteria food labels than those who neither counted calories nor had weight concerns (P = .005 and P = .047). This project supports the hypothesis that female college students who regularly count calories and have weight concerns are more likely to use food labels.