title: How, when and why do young women use nutrition information on food labels? A qualitative analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nutrition information (NI) on food packaging offers a public health tool that could be used to promote informed consumer choice and aid consumption of a healthy diet. Research indicates that the use of NI can lead to reduced energy intake and lower BMI, but little evidence is available regarding how, when or why people use NI when making everyday food choices.
  
  
  METHODS
  This qualitative study explored motivations and contexts surrounding the use of NI among 25 UK-based female NI users aged 23-35 years, using semi-structured individual interviews. Verbatim transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six themes were identified: (1) understanding and (2) functions of NI, (3) health versus appearance motives, NI use in (4) affective and (5) symbolic food episodes, and (6) competing point-of-purchase influences. Notable observations included a difficulty in understanding and converting NI into personally meaningful terms, and eschewal of NI in settings where food plays an affective or symbolic role (e.g. food consumption after a stressful day, buying food for a dinner party).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest evidence-based directions for future research and offer policy and practice recommendations, including the adoption of clear and consistent NI formats.
authors.affiliation: IOP Department of Psychology, Health Psychology Section , Guys Campus, King's College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wahlich
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McGowan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004032:Diet / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005515:Food Labeling; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D009753:Nutritive Value; D036301:Qualitative Research; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult