Menu Labeling Utilization and Socioeconomic Status in West Virginia and Mississippi

Objective: Determine the association between socioeconomic status and self-reported noticing and using calorie menu labels in 2 states with high poverty and obesity. Design: Cross-sectional study of responses to the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Menu Labeling Module. Participants: Representative sample of noninstitutionalized adults aged >= 18 years in West Virginia and Mississippi (n = 9,469). Main Outcome Measures: The outcomes were reported noticing and using menu labels to make decisions at fast-food restaurants. Independent variables were highest attained education and federal poverty level (% FPL). Analysis: Generalized linear models estimated prevalence ratios for noticing and using menu labels. Models mutually adjusted for education, % FPL, age, sex, race/ethnicity, and body mass index. Results: Eighty-six percent of respondents reported noticing, and 56% reported using menu labels. Compared with individuals with less than high school education, college graduates were 11% more likely to report noticing (95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.18; P < 0.001) and 18% more likely to report using (95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.30; P < 0.01) menu labels. Patterns were similar for % FPL. Conclusions and Implications: These data support further investigation of menu labels among subgroups and a larger geographic scope. Limitations of the menu labeling module question and the cross-sectional nature of the existing literature warrant additional research.

Automated summary

This study aimed to examine the association between socioeconomic status and self-reported noticing and using calorie menu labels in two states with high poverty and obesity rates. The study found that education level and poverty level were positively associated with noticing and using menu labels. These results suggest the need for further research on menu label usage among different subgroups and in a broader geographical scope.