title: Use of nutritional information in Canada: national trends between 2004 and 2008.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine longitudinal trends in use of nutrition information among Canadians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population-based telephone and Internet surveys.
  
  
  METHODS
  Representative samples of Canadian adults recruited with random-digit dialing sampling in 2004 (n = 2,405) and 2006 (n = 2,014) and an online commercial panel in 2008 (n = 2,001).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sociodemographic predictors of label use, use of nutrition information sources, and nutrient content information.
  
  
  METHODS
  Linear and logistic regression models to examine predictors and changes over time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Food product labels were the most common source of nutritional information in 2008 (67%), followed by the Internet (51%) and magazines/newspapers (43%). The Internet was the only source to significantly increase during the study period (odds ratio = 1.39; P < .001); however, the frequency of reading food product labels increased since 2004. Food selection based on trans fat increased significantly in 2006 (odds ratio = 1.43; P < .001) after mandatory labeling of trans fat on packaged foods. Taste and nutrition were consistently the primary factors guiding food choice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Food product labels and the Internet are nutrition information sources with broad reach. More comprehensive labeling regulations were associated with increased use of labels and nutrient information over time.
authors: Department of Health Studies, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Samantha
authors: S
authors: Goodman
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Hammond
authors: Francy
authors: F
authors: Pillo-Blocka
authors: Theresa
authors: T
authors: Glanville
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Jenkins
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000639:trends*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods*; D020407:Internet; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009753:Nutritive Value