HBI Institutional Responsibility : Reading Nutritional Labels : Higher Health Awareness on Beverage Choice

In this study, we aimed to examine whether UBC students who read the nutritional labels on beverages are more likely to make a healthier beverage choice. Specifically, we were interested in finding out the relationship between reading labels and healthy beverages choice. Survey data accessed participants’ action of reading labels and other characteristics that may be relevant to healthy lifestyles. We intended to use recipient data to measure what labels do students normally read and their lifestyles. We predicted that students who read labels on beverages are more likely to choose healthy beverage than students who do not read labels. Among students who read labels, those who read ingredients labels are more likely to choose healthy beverages compare to students who only read nutrition facts labels. We collected data over 2 weeks; each participants filled out the survey based on their preferences and consumption on beverages. Our results did not support our hypothesis, as reading labels do not predict a healthier beverage choice among students on UBC campus. However, we have a number of limitations that may affect our survey results. In future research, experimental study can be conducted to further investigate why the act of reading labels does not predict the preference and consumption of healthy beverages. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”Arts, Faculty ofPsychology, Department ofUnreviewedUndergraduat