Food Label Reading and Cardiovascular Health Profiles Across Adulthood: Findings from the Look-Up 8+ Study

Background: Unhealthy dietary patterns are a major risk factor for death and functional disability. Food labeling provides key nutritional information and is associated with healthier dietary patterns. This study aims to investigate whether attention to food labels is associated with dietary patterns, BMI, and Cardiovascular 8 metrics scores. Methods: We analyzed data from the Look-Up 8+ project, including adults aged 18 years or older from several Italian regions. Participants underwent a comprehensive lifestyle assessment, including dietary habits, cholesterol and glucose measurements, and anthropometric evaluations. Descriptive, comparative, and inferential statistical analyses were used to investigate the association between attention to food labels and dietary patterns, BMI, and Cardiovascular Health scores. Results: Among 7401 participants (mean age 54.4 ± 15.0 years, with 55.5% women), those who reported reading food labels exhibited a higher prevalence of regular physical activity and adherence to a healthy diet. In contrast, participants who did not read food labels had a higher body mass index. Both men and women who reported greater attention to food composition had a higher Life’s Essential 8 score. Conclusions: These results suggest that attention to food labels is associated with more favorable lifestyle choices and improved cardiovascular health profiles.