Associations among Grade, Sex, and Free and Reduced Price Lunch Eligibility with Use of Nutrition Labels in Middle and High School Students

Abstract

Background: Nutrition labeling interventions are proposed to improve adolescent food consumption patterns. However, little is known about tailoring these interventions to specific audiences. Objective: This study investigated the associations among students' grade level and sex, as well as the proportion of students eligible for free and reduced price lunch within a school, with use of nutrition labels. Methods: This study was a secondary data analysis based on results from a cross-sectional survey consisting of demographic and use of nutrition label data, the latter with answers ranging from Strongly Agree to Strongly Disagree on a five point Likert scale. The survey was administered in September 2010 to students in three middle and three high schools in the Renton School District. The survey was handed out and completed by students during class time. 689 surveys were handed out, completed, and made available for analyses. Regression analyses and Chi-square tests were used to determine the associations of sex and grade level on use of nutrition labels. Graphic displays were created to show differences in use between schools. Results: There were no significant relationships between either sex or grade level and use of nutrition labels (p > 0.05). There was also no significant relationship between proportion of students eligible for free and reduced price lunch and nutrition label use in each school (p > 0.05). Implications: These results suggest that efforts to promote use of nutrition labeling in schools should be independent of grade-level, sex, and the proportion of students eligible for free and reduced price lunch at the school.