Research Shows Americans Remain Concerned About Nutrition as Obesity Presents a Larger Public Health Risk

8/18/2003

From: Alisa Salmons of the United Soybean Board c/o Publicis Dialog, 206-301-4321 or alisa.salmons@publicis-usa.com

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 18 -- Approximately 127 million people in America are overweight, according to the American Obesity Association, and with 60 million obese, consumers are paying closer attention to food labels. In a new study, conducted by the United Soybean Board (USB), consumers said total fat remains the most noted item on the +ACI-Nutrition Facts+ACI- Label at 17 percent, followed by calories (14 percent), and saturated fat (13 percent). And while consumers look for saturated fat percentages on the label and 90 percent report saturated fats as unhealthy, approximately 50 percent also classified beneficial fats (monounsaturated, polyunsaturated) as unhealthy, showing confusion about fats in the diet.

General health is the biggest reason consumers review nutrition labels (43 percent), however the urge to lose weight is not far behind at 21 percent. Fortunately, consumers do recognize foods that may help fight obesity and increase the healthiness of their diet. In fact, 62 percent of Americans agree that eating soy-based foods may play a role in reducing obesity. Even more Americans, 74 percent, perceive soy products as healthy.

This perception has encouraged 34 percent of those consumers aware of health benefits to seek out products that specifically contain soy. Soy products are consumed regularly (once a week or more) by 28 percent of Americans. With soy-based foods such as soy burgers, soymilk, and soy protein bars increasing in popularity, consumers are expanding their consumption of many different soy products across the board. Recognition of soybean oil (vegetable oil) along with olive oil as the healthiest among cooking oils remained high.

Overall, good nutrition remains at the forefront in consumer concerns, with nine out of 10 Americans somewhat or very concerned about the nutritional content of food. Seven in 10 consumers said they changed their eating habits due to health or nutrition concerns, an unchanged statistic over the past five years. The same amount of consumers responded that they would pay more for healthier versions of foods.

USB's Tenth Annual Consumer Attitudes About Nutrition survey was conducted by an independent research firm. The study includes 1,000 random telephone interviews, providing a sample that is consistent with the American population. The margin of error is 3.1 percent, and has a confidence interval of 95 percent.

The United Soybean Board is a farmer-led organization comprised of 61 farmer-directors. USB oversees the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers.