AbstractsPsychology

The current study compared participants’ ability to perform tasks using two nutrition labels: a control Nutrition Facts table of the current Canadian format (n=64), and an experimental label (n=64), identical to the control label with the exception of a footnote explaining how to interpret percent daily values. A 25% subset of participants answered questions using a think aloud technique, and data was analyzed using content analysis. The main outcome measured was ability to interpret percentages correctly, with ability to compare, define and manipulate information as secondary outcomes. No significant differences were seen in ability to perform tasks between the experimental and control conditions for any outcomes. As determined by chi square tests, higher performance was associated with higher education, being male, and report of previous Nutrition Facts table use. Verbal protocol analysis identified that interpretation of percentages was based on the meal, food type, and comparison to other foods.