title: Influence of simplified nutrition labeling and taxation on laboratory energy intake in adults.
abstract: The purpose of these studies was to test the hypotheses that simplified nutrition labeling and taxation alter food selection and intake. In Experiment 1, participants consumed lunch in the laboratory three times with no labels, standard nutrition labels, or traffic light diet labels at each visit. In Experiment 2, participants were given $6.00 with which to purchase lunch in the laboratory twice with standard pricing on one visit and a 25% tax on "red" foods on another visit. Participants received a brief education session on the labeling systems being used. Total energy intake and energy intake and number of foods purchased from each traffic light category were measured. Nutrition labeling decreased energy intake in lean females, but had no effect in men or in obese females. Traffic light labels increased consumption of "green" foods and decreased consumption of "red" foods. Taxation decreased the purchasing of "red" foods in obese, but not non-obese participants. There were no interactions between taxation and simplified nutrition labeling. Although generalization to real-world purchasing and consumption is limited by the laboratory study design, our findings suggests that taking multiple, simultaneous approaches to reduce energy intake may have the greatest impact on food purchases and/or nutrient consumption.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA. Jltemple@buffalo.edu
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Temple
authors.forename: Karena M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Kelli
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Archer
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lacarte
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.forename: Leonard H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Epstein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003710:Demography; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005502:Food / Q000191:economics; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013660:Taxes; D055815:Young Adult