Nutrition labeling and value size pricing at fast-food restaurants: a consumer perspective.
OBJECTIVE
This pilot study examined nutrition-related attitudes that may affect food choices at fast-food restaurants, including consumer attitudes toward nutrition labeling of fast foods and elimination of value size pricing.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 79 fast-food restaurant patrons aged 16 and above (78.5% white, 55% female, mean age 41.2 [17.1]) selected meals from fast-food restaurant menus that varied as to whether nutrition information was provided and value pricing included and completed a survey and interview on nutrition-related attitudes.


RESULTS
Only 57.9% of participants rated nutrition as important when buying fast food. Almost two thirds (62%) supported a law requiring nutrition labeling on restaurant menus. One third (34%) supported a law requiring restaurants to offer lower prices on smaller instead of bigger-sized portions.


CONCLUSIONS
This convenience sample of fast-food patrons supported nutrition labels on menus. More research is needed with larger samples on whether point-of-purchase nutrition labeling at fast-food restaurants raises perceived importance of nutrition when eating out.
Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South 2nd Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA.
Maureen
M
O'Dougherty
Lisa J
LJ
Harnack
Simone A
SA
French
Mary
M
Story
J Michael
JM
Oakes
Robert W
RW
Jeffery
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D005502:Food / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009753:Nutritive Value; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011356:Product Labeling; D012147:Restaurants