Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #225558
Title: Americans’ Awareness, Knowledge and Behaviors Regarding Fats: 2006-2007

Author
item ECKEL, ROBERT - UNIV OF DENVER, CO
item KRIS-ETHERTON, PENNY - PENN STATE UNIV, PA
item Lichtenstein, Alice
item WYLIE-ROSETT, JUDITH - ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE
item GROOM, ALLISON - AM HEART ASSOC.
item STITZEL, KIMBERLY - AM HEART ASSOC.
item YIN-PIAZZA, SHIRLEY - AM HEART ASSOC.

Submitted to: American Heart Association Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/22/2008
Publication Date: 3/11/2008
Citation: Eckel, R.H., Kris-Etherton, P., Lichtenstein, A.H., Wylie-Rosett, J., Groom, A., Stitzel, K.F., Yin-Piazza, S. 2008. Americans’ Awareness, Knowledge and Behaviors Regarding Fats: 2006-2007. In: American Heart Association's Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism Conference, March 11, 2008, Colorado Springs, CO.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Introduction: In recent years, epidemiologic and clinical studies, public and regulatory policy activity, and media coverage have focused on issues related to trans fat. To help raise awareness and understanding of trans fats and other fats, the American Heart Association (AHA) launched the “Face the Fats” national consumer education campaign in April 2007. The AHA commissioned a quantitative tracking study to measure changes in consumer awareness, perceptions and behavior related to fats and oils and their perceived impact on heart disease between 2006 and 2007. Methods: The study was conducted by Cogent Research. Data were collected during March 2006 and May 2007. At both time points, the survey included a representative sample of the American population aged 18-65 (n=1,000). The sampling plan for the study was designed based on the 2000 U.S. Census. The margin of error was +/- 3.10 percentage points. Results: Awareness of trans fats increased from 84% in 2006 to 92% in 2007 (P<0.05). The 2007 level was similar to awareness of saturated fats (93%). Perceptions that certain fats and oils increase the risk of heart disease increased for trans fats (63% to 73%), saturated fats (73% to 77%), and partially-hydrogenated oils (49% to 56%) (P<0.05). Knowledge of food sources of fats remains low. On an unaided basis, 21% could name three food sources of trans fats in 2007, up from 17% in 2006 (P<0.05). Similar knowledge of saturated fat food sources remained unchanged at 30% in 2007. Significantly more Americans in 2007 report behavioral changes related to trans fat information, for example, buying food products because they show “zero trans fat” on labels or packages (32% in 2006 vs. 37% in 2007; P<0.05). Conclusion: During the period of time between 2006 and 2007, consumer awareness about trans fats increased and reached levels similar to saturated fats. The increased awareness is associated with improved self-reported behaviors in grocery shopping. Nonetheless, overall knowledge, especially regarding food sources of saturated and trans fats, remains relatively low. The positive change in consumer awareness is likely attributable to the wide range of messages available to them, including the “Face the Fats” national consumer education campaign.