title: Awareness and use of the Heart Symbol by Finnish consumers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the awareness of the Heart Symbol in different age and educational groups, and changes in the awareness over a 9-year period. In addition, the reported use of products with the symbol was examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  A series of annual cross-sectional postal surveys on Health Behaviour and Health among the Finnish Adult Population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random sample (n 5000 per annum) from the Finnish population aged 15-64 years, drawn from the National Population Register, received a questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Men and women (n 29 378) participating in the surveys in 2000-2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the early 2000s, 48 % of men and 73 % of women reported to be familiar with the symbol. The corresponding rates were 66 % for men and 91 % for women in 2009. The reported use of products with the symbol increased from 29 % to 52 % in men and from 40 % to 72 % in women. In men, the awareness did not vary by age, whereas older women (45-64 years) were less likely to be aware of the symbol compared with younger women (25-34 years). Men and women with the highest education were best aware of the symbol and more likely to use the products in the early 2000s. The educational differences diminished or disappeared during the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of Finnish adults are familiar with the Heart Symbol, and the reported use of such products increased in all age and educational groups, especially among the less educated. The symbol may work as an effective measure to diminish nutrition-related health inequalities.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland. marjaana.lahti-koski@sydanliitto.fi
authors.forename: Marjaana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lahti-Koski
authors.forename: Satu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Helakorpi
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olli
authors.forename: Erkki
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vartiainen
authors.forename: Pekka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puska
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D004522:Educational Status; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D005515:Food Labeling; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006321:Heart; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D013561:Symbolism; D055815:Young Adult