The Roles of Gender and Motivation as Moderators of the Effects of Calorie and Nutrient Information Provision on Away-from-Home Foods

Given substantial concern about the many negative consequences associated with the American obesity epidemic, legislation which would require chain restaurants to provide nutrition information on menus and menu boards has been proposed at the federal, state, and local levels. Two studies examine the effects of nutrition disclosure on consumer evaluations and purchase intentions while also considering potential moderating effects due to gender differences and motivation levels. Results indicate that nutrition disclosures can have an impact on consumer product evaluations and preferences, particularly for restaurant items that are less healthful than anticipated.