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MAJORITY OF CONSUMERS BELIEVE EATING SOY-BASED FOOD MAY HELP REDUCE OBESITY
By The United Soybean Board
August 18, 2003
ST. LOUIS - 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 Nutrition Facts 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
believe 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.
USBs 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.
CONTACT
Alisa Salmons
United Soybean Board c/o
Publicis Dialog
(206) 301-4321
alisa.salmons@publicis-usa.com
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