A new study of over 2,000 American adults found that confidence in your ability to read and understand Nutrition Facts labels is the biggest factor in whether you actually use them. Researchers discovered that 87% of people have used these labels, but the ones who feel most confident about understanding them are the ones who use them regularly. Interestingly, simply knowing more information or having a positive attitude about healthy eating wasn’t enough—people needed to believe they could actually do it. The study also found that people living in cities and those with better overall health were more likely to feel confident using these labels.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: What makes people actually use the Nutrition Facts labels on food packages, and which factors are most important in deciding whether someone reads them?
  • Who participated: 2,041 adults from across the United States who answered questions about their eating habits, health, and how often they look at food labels. The group was designed to represent all Americans fairly.
  • Key finding: Confidence in your ability to understand and use nutrition labels is by far the strongest predictor of whether you’ll actually use them. People who felt confident were much more likely to check labels than those who didn’t feel confident, even if they knew a lot about nutrition.
  • What it means for you: If you struggle to read nutrition labels, building your confidence through learning and practice may be more helpful than just getting more information. Start small, ask questions, and celebrate small wins to boost your confidence.

The Research Details

Researchers used information from a large national survey conducted by the FDA in 2019 where Americans answered questions about food safety and nutrition. They looked at data from 2,041 adults and used a statistical method called structural equation modeling to understand how different factors work together to influence whether people use Nutrition Facts labels.

The study was based on two well-known behavior change theories that help explain why people do or don’t do certain health behaviors. The researchers measured many different things: whether people used labels, their confidence level, their knowledge about nutrition, their attitudes about healthy eating, their health status, where they lived, and basic information like age and education.

This type of study is called cross-sectional, which means researchers collected all the information at one point in time rather than following people over months or years. This helps identify patterns and connections but can’t prove that one thing directly causes another.

Understanding what actually motivates people to use nutrition labels is important because these labels are designed to help people make healthier food choices. If we know that confidence is the key factor, we can design better education programs and label designs that help people feel more capable of using them. This research helps explain why some people use labels and others don’t, even when they have access to the same information.

This study used a nationally representative sample, meaning the results should reflect what’s true across the whole United States, not just one group. The researchers used established behavior change theories, which gives the study a solid scientific foundation. However, because this is a cross-sectional study, it shows relationships between factors but can’t prove that one thing causes another. The study also relied on people self-reporting their behavior, which means some answers might not be perfectly accurate.

What the Results Show

The most important finding was that self-efficacy—which is a fancy way of saying ‘confidence in your ability to do something’—was the strongest factor affecting whether people use Nutrition Facts labels. People who felt confident they could understand and use these labels were significantly more likely to actually use them.

The study also found that living in an urban area (a city) was associated with higher label use. This might be because city dwellers have more access to different food options and may need to compare labels more often, or they might have more exposure to nutrition information.

Interestingly, the researchers discovered that simply having knowledge about nutrition or having a positive attitude about healthy eating wasn’t enough to make people use labels. Instead, these factors worked through confidence—knowledge and positive attitudes helped build confidence, and then confidence led to label use. It’s like the difference between knowing you should exercise and actually believing you can do it.

People who reported better overall health and those who saw nutrition labels more often were more likely to feel confident using them. This suggests that success builds confidence, and confidence leads to more use.

The study found that 87% of respondents reported having used Nutrition Facts labels at some point, which shows these labels are fairly well-known. However, the research suggests that not everyone uses them regularly or effectively. The finding that urban residents were more likely to use labels suggests that location and access to diverse food options may play a role in label use. Additionally, the connection between better health status and higher confidence suggests that people who are already doing well health-wise may feel more capable of managing their nutrition.

This research builds on earlier studies that showed nutrition labels can help people make healthier choices, but it goes deeper by explaining why some people use them and others don’t. Previous research focused more on whether labels work, but this study focuses on what makes people actually use them. The emphasis on confidence as a key factor aligns with other health behavior research showing that believing you can do something is often more important than just knowing about it.

Because this study collected all information at one time, it can’t prove that confidence causes label use—it only shows they’re connected. People answered questions about their own behavior, which might not always be accurate. The study also doesn’t explain why some people feel more confident than others, just that confidence matters. Additionally, the research doesn’t look at whether using labels actually leads to healthier eating or better health outcomes.

The Bottom Line

If you want to use Nutrition Facts labels more effectively, focus on building your confidence through practice and learning. Start by learning about one or two nutrients that matter to you (like sugar or sodium), then gradually expand your knowledge. Use apps or websites that explain labels in simple terms. Set small, achievable goals like checking labels on three items per week. (Confidence level: Strong evidence from this study, though more research on actual behavior change would help.)

Anyone interested in making healthier food choices should care about this research. It’s especially relevant for people who feel confused or intimidated by nutrition labels, as it suggests that building confidence is more important than memorizing nutrition facts. Healthcare providers and nutrition educators should also pay attention, as this research suggests they should focus on building client confidence rather than just providing information. People with chronic health conditions who need to monitor their nutrition should find this particularly useful.

Building confidence typically takes a few weeks of consistent practice. You might start noticing that label reading feels easier after 2-3 weeks of regular use. Seeing actual health benefits from better food choices based on label reading could take several weeks to months, depending on your starting point and goals.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track how many times per week you check a Nutrition Facts label and rate your confidence level (1-10) each time. Over 4 weeks, you should see both the frequency and confidence increasing as you practice.
  • Set a weekly goal to compare nutrition labels on two similar products (like two different cereals or yogurts) and note which one you’d choose based on the label. This builds both skill and confidence in a practical way.
  • Create a simple chart showing your label-reading confidence over time. Each week, rate how confident you feel reading labels on a scale of 1-10. Also track which nutrients you’re learning about (sodium, sugar, fiber, etc.). As confidence grows, gradually add more nutrients to your focus areas.

This research shows a connection between confidence and nutrition label use, but it doesn’t prove that using labels will improve your health. Individual results vary based on many factors including overall diet, exercise, genetics, and medical conditions. If you have specific health concerns or dietary needs, consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian before making significant changes to your eating habits based on nutrition labels. This study reflects data from 2019 and may not account for changes in label formats or consumer behavior since then.