People Who Read Nutrition Labels Weigh Less

It only takes a few seconds of your time.

Reading nutrition labels could help to keep off the extra pounds, according to a new study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control.

According to the National Health Interview Survey—an annual poll conducted by the CDC—in the United States, people who pay attention to food labels have a lower body mass index than their counterparts who throw all caution to the wind. Women are more likely than men to read labels, and were found to have an average BMI of 1.49 points lower than non-label readers; that’s about an eight-pound difference for the average woman. The survey also found that, in urban populations, 49 percent report that they pay attention to food labels. Overall, white women who read nutrition labels showed the greatest difference in BMI, at about 1.76 points. (The Atlantic)