The Ability of Elderly Women to Perform Nutrition Facts Label Tasks and Judge Nutrient Content Claims

Although the Nutrition Facts label has been required on food packages since 1994, little research has been conducted to determine the ability of consumers of any age to locate and manipulate information on the Nutrition Facts label. Even less research has been conducted to determine their understanding of nutrient content claims. The potential usefulness of nutrition labeling in helping older adults identify foods that can promote more successful aging and safeguard their health compels this study which was designed to investigate the ability of older women to locate and manipulate nutrient information on Nutrition Facts labels and accurately interpret nutrition claims.