Kerkadi A, Elobeid T, Al-Thani H, Al- Sulaiti J, Raees S Human Nutrition Program Health Sciences Department Qatar University

Transcription

1 Kerkadi A, Elobeid T, Al-Thani H, Al- Sulaiti J, Raees S Human Nutrition Program Health Sciences Department Qatar University

2 Introduction Health professionals worldwide recommend that people eat a nutritious diet to promote and preserve their health. If consumers are to make informed dietary decisions, they must have ready access to accurate nutrition information. Nutrition labels on food packages can provide the vital information consumers need to help them improve or protect their health and comply with dietary recommendations promulgated by health authorities. Evidence indicates that nutrition labelling is indeed very useful in helping consumers choose more healthful foods

3 Introduction Food labeling gives people information about composition of food products so they can make informed decisions Food labels are an important tool for helping people make informed food-purchasing decisions Food labelling is one medium by which consumers can acquire knowledge about the food they consider buying.

4 Introduction The majority of the nutritional information is condensed into a nutrition facts panel located on the product. Understanding nutrition labels may be important for patients to follow dietary recommendations. This is particularly true for patients with chronic illnesses such as hypertension, heart failure, diabetes, and obesity.

5 What is on the food label? The Nutrition Facts panel: Gives specific information about the calories and nutrients, such as fat, cholesterol, sodium, fiber, and certain vitamins and minerals in a single serving of the food. The Ingredient List: The ingredient list on packaged foods gives an over view of the recipe, with ingredients listed from most to least by weight

6 What is on the food label? Nutrition description: Nutrition description, such as, low-fat or high fiber, helps easily consumers find foods that meet specific nutrition goals Health claims: This describes the potential health benefits of a food or a nutrient, such as consuming calcium as a benefit for reducing the risk for osteoporosis

7 Objectives Determine the frequency of food labels use by consumers in Qatar. Study the attitude towards food labels use Study the association between food labels use and demographic factors

8 Subjects Methodology A cross sectional survey of a randomly selected sample of 300 persons in the age group years old was carried out Subjects were randomly selected from different socio economic areas: Qatar University, public areas and works.

9 Questionnaire Methodology A self administrated questionnaire was designed to address use and attitudes toward nutrition labels. A total of 21 questions were included in the questionnaire, some of which were divided into subsections and closed questions were used. Attitude was measured with five items on a Likert scale (where 1=strongly disagree and 4=strongly agree) The sum of total attitude score was calculated ; a higher score represented a positive attitude towards food labels.

10 SPSS for windows (18.0) was used for statistical analysis; both descriptive statistics (frequency tables) and inferential statistics (chi-square tests) were used. P-values below 0.05 was considered as significant.

11 Results

12 Variable n % Gender Male female Age and Education level Primary Secondary College Income (QR) Less than More than Marital status Married Not married children Yes no Family size More than

13 Relationship between Attitude, label use, knowledge and gender Total Male Female Label reading (%) Label is useful(%) Label is found in all foods (%) Relationship between label and quality (%) Attitude score (Mean ± SD) ± ± ± 0.37

14 Relationship between Attitude, label use, knowledge and diet Total Dieters Non Dieters Label reading (%) * Label is useful(%) Label is found in all foods (%) Relationship between label and quality (%) Attitude score (Mean ± SD) ± ± ± 0.37

15 Relationship between Attitude, label use, knowledge and income Total Less than 2000 QR QR > 8000 QR Label reading (%) Label is useful(%) Label is found in all foods (%) Relationship between label and quality (%) Attitude score (Mean ± SD) * * 2.33± ± ± ± 0.4

16 Relationship between Attitude, label use, knowledge and education level Label reading (%) Label is useful(%) Label is found in all foods (%) Relationship between label and quality (%) Attitude score (Mean ± SD) Total Primary Secondary University ± ± ± ± 0.4

17 I have always been able to find information I need on a food or drink label Total Male Female strongly disagree neither agree or disagree total agree strongly agree

18 When I read the label on food produce,i just focus on one or two things Total 30 Male Female strongly disagree neither agree or disagree total agree strongly agree

19 Generally speaking it is easy to understand and use the information on food labels Total Male Female 10 0 strongly disagree neither agree or disagree total agree strongly agree

20 I find some information on food labels really useful or important Total Male Female strongly disagree neither agree or disagree total agree strongly agree

21 it is hard to tell which parts of the labels are advertising and which are standard information manufactures have to put on it Total Male Female strongly disagree neither agree or disagree total agree strongly agree 1.6

22 I don t have enough time to read food labels when I shopping even I wanted to Total Male Female strongly disagree neither agree or disagree total agree strongly agree

23 Conclusion There is a growing awareness among consumers of the concept of nutrition and food labels Significant relationships between diet and use of nutrition labels were found. A higher proportion of those who read such labels expressed strong agreement levels towards attributes to nutrition.