Perception of Being Overweight and Obese and the Use of Information on Food Away from Home

This study explores the effects of various factors on the use of nutrition information on food away from home (FAFH). Consumer groups were classified into groups according to their perception of being overweight and obese (correctly perceiving, underestimating and overestimating weight). For this, frequency analysis, a chi-square test, and an ANOVA were conducted to determine any differences between factors, and a logit analysis (SPSS 18.0) was conducted to identify those factors influencing the use of information. Information recognition, intentions to use information and the use on FAFH showed significant differences across the groups. In addition, health inspection, the perception of the intrinsic quality of restaurants, labeling, FAFH expenditure, and some individual characteristics showed significant differences between groups. The information recognition of FAFH had a significant positive effect on information use in all groups. In all groups, labeling had a significant positive effect on information use, and family health concerns had a significant positive effect on information use in the group correctly perceiving weight. The price of domestic food items, household head and household income had significant positive effects on information use in the group overestimating weight. Key words: food away from home (FAFH), BMI, perception of being overweight and obese, information use, consumer characteristic