The 'Green Keyhole' revisited: nutritional knowledge may influence food selection.
BACKGROUND
The food-marking symbol the 'Green Keyhole' has been in use since 1989 in Sweden, to make it easier for consumers to select low-fat and high-fibre alternatives.


OBJECTIVE
To describe knowledge of the Green Keyhole symbol in a general population of both sexes and the association between knowledge and intake of Green Keyhole labelled foods.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study within the GOT-MONICA project 1995/96.


METHODS
732 males and 859 females, aged 25-64 y.


METHODS
Reported intakes of Green Keyhole labelled low-fat and fibre-enriched foods from a food frequency questionnaire, in relation to knowledge of the Green Keyhole symbol.


RESULTS
53% and 76% of the males and females, respectively, understood the meaning of the symbol. SUBJECTS with knowledge were significantly younger (P<0.0001) and (among women) thinner (P=0.0105), than those without knowledge. Intakes of Green Keyhole labelled low-fat foods were significantly higher in males (P=0.0443) and females (P<0.0001) with knowledge of the symbol than without. An interaction between education and knowledge of the Green Keyhole symbol was found for intake of low-fat marked foods (P=0.0088).


CONCLUSIONS
Both males and females with knowledge of the symbol seem to have adopted its low-fat message. However, in certain sub-groups, particularly the less educated, the message of the symbol appears to have no association with dietary practices.
Larsson
I
I
Department of Internal Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
Lissner
L
L
Wilhelmsen
L
L
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005515:Food Labeling; D005518:Food Preferences; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013548:Sweden
D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber