Nutrition Labels and the Brain: Balancing Health for Men and Women

Decoding Nutrition Labels: A Sex-Specific Guide to Healthier Eating

Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unlocking the secrets of nutrition labels and how they impact men's and women's health differently."

In 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed updating the 1992 guidelines for nutrition facts labeling. The goal was to empower consumers to make well-informed food choices that promote healthier lifestyles. However, the connection between nutrition label use and health outcomes remains underexplored.

A study conducted in Douglas County, Nebraska, in 2013, aimed to bridge this gap by investigating the relationship between nutrition label use and health. The study also sought to determine whether this relationship differs between men and women, acknowledging the potential impact of sex on health behaviors and outcomes.

Previous research indicates that women are generally more inclined to read nutrition labels. Given the higher risk of cardiovascular diseases among men, understanding how both sexes use this information can lead to targeted nutrition education and improved public health outcomes.

Why Does Nutrition Label Use Vary Between Men and Women?

Nutrition Labels and the Brain: Balancing Health for Men and Women

The Douglas County study employed a population-based, random sample survey of 1,503 participants. Researchers analyzed the data to assess how nutrition label use correlates with various health indicators, considering demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, and healthcare access factors. The study hypothesized that a U-shaped relationship exists between self-rated health (SRH) and nutrition label use.

In other words, individuals with both excellent and poor health are more likely to use nutrition labels compared to those with average health. The study also explored whether obesity or chronic diseases increase the likelihood of label use, and whether significant sex differences exist in these associations.

Self-Rated Health (SRH): Participants rated their health on a scale from excellent to poor.
Obesity: Defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher.
Chronic Conditions: Presence of hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Nutrition Label Use: Assessed by asking, "Do you pay attention to information about sodium, fat, calories, or the use of preservatives when you purchase food?"

Data analysis involved chi-square tests to examine bivariate associations, followed by logistic regression to estimate associations in a multivariate framework. This approach allowed for controlling potential confounding variables, providing a clearer picture of the relationships between health, sex, and nutrition label use.

Tailoring Nutrition Education for Men and Women

The Douglas County study underscores the importance of sex-specific nutrition education. By recognizing the differences in how men and women use nutrition labels and the factors influencing their choices, healthcare professionals and educators can develop more effective interventions. Future research should focus on culturally tailored interventions to promote healthier eating habits across diverse populations.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5888/pcd12.150167, Alternate LINK

Title: A Sex-Specific Analysis Of Nutrition Label Use And Health, Douglas County, Nebraska, 2013

Subject: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Journal: Preventing Chronic Disease

Publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Authors: Dejun Su, Junmin Zhou, Hannah L. Jackson, Ghada A. Soliman, Terry T-K Huang, Amy L. Yaroch

Published: 2015-09-24

Everything You Need To Know

What were the key findings regarding the relationship between self-rated health (SRH) and nutrition label use in the Douglas County study?

The Douglas County study, conducted in Nebraska, revealed that individuals with both excellent and poor self-rated health (SRH) are more inclined to utilize nutrition labels compared to those with average health. This suggests that awareness and concern about dietary impact on health may be heightened at the extremes of health status. The study also looked into how obesity or chronic diseases affect label use and explored differences between sexes in these patterns.

How did the Douglas County study assess nutrition label use, and what are some limitations of this assessment method?

In the Douglas County study, nutrition label use was assessed by asking participants if they pay attention to information about sodium, fat, calories, or the use of preservatives when purchasing food. This simple question provides a basic understanding of consumer awareness, but it doesn't capture the depth of how individuals interpret or act on this information. A more comprehensive assessment might include evaluating the frequency of label reading, understanding of nutritional content, and changes in purchasing behavior based on label information.

Can you elaborate on the statistical methods employed in the Douglas County study to analyze the relationship between health, sex, and nutrition label use?

The Douglas County study used logistic regression to estimate associations between health, sex, and nutrition label use while controlling for potential confounding variables such as demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, and healthcare access factors. Chi-square tests were used to examine bivariate associations. This multivariate approach provides a clearer picture of how these factors independently and collectively influence nutrition label use.

What implications does the Douglas County study have for designing effective nutrition education programs, particularly for men and women?

The Douglas County study emphasizes the importance of tailoring nutrition education to meet the specific needs and behaviors of men and women. By acknowledging the differences in how men and women use nutrition labels and the factors influencing their choices, healthcare professionals and educators can develop interventions that resonate more effectively with each gender. Future research could examine culturally tailored interventions to promote healthier eating habits across diverse populations, addressing potential disparities in nutrition knowledge and access to healthy food options.

How do the FDA's proposed guidelines for nutrition facts labeling relate to the findings of the Douglas County study regarding consumer behavior and health outcomes?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed updating the 1992 guidelines for nutrition facts labeling to help consumers make better food choices for healthier lifestyles. The Douglas County study was focused on whether using Nutrition labels impacted health outcomes in men and women. The FDA guidelines serve as the foundation for standardized nutrition information, while studies like the one in Douglas County provide insights into how consumers interact with and are influenced by these labels.