Women read and use the information found on labels more often and more thoroughly than men.

That's according to a study from the University of Alabama; published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and featured in the May issue of Food Nutrition & Science.

The study used a sample of 573 males and 809 females aged 19 - 70 years of age. The study found that women use the Nutritional Facts label, Health claims, ingredient lists and serving sizes more frequently than men when using or making decisions about a food product. Although the study was carried out in America, the findings could indicate a global trend.

Interestingly, both men and women aged 51 to 70 years of age were significantly more likely to read a label, compared with younger participants in the study, foodproductiondaily.com reports.

Phil Lempert, founder of Good Nutrition & Science, told packagingdigest.com that this did not come as a surprise, "But this reinforces that manufacturers and retailers should make labels, advertising and merchandising clear, concise and easy to read so that people can make informed decisions."

Race also proved a factor when monitoring consumer behaviour, with Hispanic men checking food labels more often than Caucasian men.