Awareness of federal nutrition programs and use of the nutrition
facts label are associated with reduced risk for obesity and
increased intake of fruits and vegetables. Relationships between
nutrition programs, use of food labels and risk for overweight
and obesity have rarely been evaluated in adolescents. Using the
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005–6, we
evaluated the frequency of nutrition awareness of USDA and CDC
nutrition programs and use of food labels in adolescents. Risk
for overweight (BMI ≥ 85-94th percentile) and obesity (BMI ≥
95th percentile) was assessed in relation to nutrition awareness
and label reading. Most adolescents (92.4%) were aware of the
Food Guide Pyramid. Fewer (43.5%) were aware of the 5-A-Day
Program, and even less (29.3%) were aware of the Dietary
Guidelines for Americans. Less than 25% of adolescents decided
which foods to purchase by reading material on the nutrition
facts label. There were significant racial and ethnic
differences in awareness of fed