Factors determining the use of nutrition labels: The case of Malaysia

The rising prevalence of diet-related illnesses, the most visible of health problems, in both developed and developing countries has become a serious public health concern. Nutrition labeling plays an important role in promoting healthy diet and, thus, in improving population health. The objective of the present study is to investigate how socioeconomic factors—age, income, gender, education, marital status, house locality and employment status—affect the use of nutrition labels among Malaysian adults. The Third National Health and Morbidity Survey of Malaysia, which consisted of 34,539 respondents, is used for analysis. A logit model is developed to examine the probability of using nutrition labels. Evidence from the present study shows that age, income, gender, education, and marital status are significantly associated with the use of nutrition labels. In particular, age reduces the likelihood of using nutrition labels, while high income earners, females, the well-educated, and married individuals are more likely to use nutrition labels. The findings of the present study suggest that differentiated targeted efforts should be used on the various population groups identified when implementing programs and activities promoting the use of nutrition labels.