Assessment of Knowledge and Self-Reported Use of Nutrition Facts Labels, Nutrient Content, and Health Claims among Saudi Adult Consumers

Awareness of Nutrition Facts Labeling and Its Relation to Oral Health Practices and Caries Experience Among Adult Patients

AIM

To investigate the relationship between the usage of nutrition facts labels (NFL) and oral and dietary practices and the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) score.

METHODS

A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to a convenient sample of 150 adult dental patients attending the King Abdulaziz University Dental Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Electronic dental records were accessed to record each patient's DMFT score.

RESULTS

Only 38% (N=57) of the participants read the NFL on their food. A statistically significant association was found between patients' DMFT scores and the NFL reading. Participants who said they read NFLs had lower mean DMFT scores than those who said they did not (8.4 vs. 10.5).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study demonstrate that there is low usage of NFL among participants. A significant association was noted between the reading of the NFL and caries experience as measured using the DMFT index.

Behaviors Related to Limiting Fat Intake among Young Adults in Saudi Arabia

Young adults tend to frequently consume foods that are high in fat. Efforts to limit the consumption of fat among the Saudi population have been initiated; however, data concerning current behaviors related to limiting fat intake are lacking. We aimed to explore behaviors related to limiting fat intake and to investigate the association with fat intake among young adults in Saudi Arabia. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 305 students aged ≥19 years were recruited from Taibah University, Madinah. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data concerning sociodemographic status, behaviors related to limiting fat intake, and fat intake. The median score of behaviors related to limiting fat intake was significantly higher among females and supplement users compared to other groups. Healthy weight, overweight, and obese students reported a significantly higher score of behaviors related to limiting fat intake, compared to underweight students. Males who reported making an effort to limit the consumption of fatty foods consumed less total fat, saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, and polyunsaturated fat, while those who reported reading the nutrition fact labels of food products consumed more polyunsaturated fat. Females who reported reading nutrition fact labels consumed less saturated fat. Efforts to limit fat intake have been noted especially among females; however, these efforts were not linked to fat intake among young adults in Saudi Arabia.

Nutrition Behavior and Physical Activity of Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Saudi Arabia

As people get older, their nutritional status deteriorates, resulting in increased vulnerability to chronic diseases. The adoption of a healthy lifestyle has been linked to improved health throughout the aging process. The current study aimed to assess nutritional behaviors, dietary patterns, and physical activity among middle-aged and older adults in Saudi Arabia. An electronic questionnaire was completed between September and November 2021 by 419 participants aged 45 years and older. Of those, 65% reported that nutrition was important to them and 19% stated that they were consuming a healthy diet. Participants reported consuming an average of around 6 servings/week each of fruit and vegetables, with mean intake scores of 5.92 ± 0.25 and 5.57 ± 0.22, respectively. It was reported that around 3 servings/week of red meat, 4 servings/week of poultry, and 1 serving/week of fish were consumed, with mean intake scores of 2.65 ± 0.13, 4.34 ± 0.16, and 1.36 ± 0.08, respectively. Most of the participants (60%) reported being inactive. Middle-aged and older adults living in Saudi Arabia have poor dietary patterns and nutritional behaviors. Education and guidance on nutrition are needed for this population to help them improve their diet and lifestyle.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Food Labeling and Expiry Date among the Female Health Sciences Students: A Public Health Concern

Nutrition information on food labels can help consumers to choose healthier food. We investigated consumers’ awareness of food labels and their influence on the decision to buy food items among students of health sciences of King Khalid University, Abha. This cross-sectional study involved 350 females who gave informed verbal consent and were selected by systematic random sampling technique. Data was collected by using a self-administered questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS version 21. Overall 76.3% of students knew food labeling. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between the knowledge about food labeling and education, the number of family members, earning members, frequency of shopping and income. Almost half of the students checked food labels before buying, 43.7% replaced food on an importance basis and value of labeling, and 60% replaced on a cost basis. More than half of students were ready to buy food items with no labels, and 21.7% even utilized expired food items because of a lack of knowledge regarding expiry date and low cost of food which could be hazardous for their health. Awareness of food labeling and expiry date should be enhanced by including this subject in the curriculum and electronic media to avoid health hazards of expired food items. Choosing healthy food options shall reduce the nutrition and chronic diseases among the general population in future.

Assessment of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Lebanese shoppers towards food labeling: The first steps in the Nutri-score roadmap

Background: Food labeling is a fundamental educational tool for advocating for public awareness. It emphasizes knowledge of the nutrient content of food and thus directs the choice towards the healthiest food products.

This cross-sectional survey aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding nutrition label use in Lebanon through a valid questionnaire.

Methods: Overall, 768 participants (mean age: 30.8 ±12, males: 60.2%) were recruited randomly between February and May 2020. We used word of mouth and social media to recruit our sample population.

Results: Social media was the most accessed tool to attain nutrition information by responders (39.8%). More than half the participants expressed positive attitudes to check information related to sugars (66.4%), vitamins (64.9%), total fats (61.7%), proteins (59.1%), and calories (58.7%) on the food label. Expiry date, price, and brand name were the top three considerations while reading food labels. About half (46.5%) reported to “always” look at the food label. Responders reported reading labels related primarily to sugars (44.3%), calories (38.8%), and total fats (36.8%). The optimal total KAP score was 46; our findings revealed a mean KAP score of 14.46 ±7 (31.4%). When categorizing the KAP scores, 15% had high scores, and 85% scored low. Spearman’s coefficients showed positive correlations between knowledge-attitude, knowledge-practice, and attitude-practice scores, with p<0.001. The regression analysis revealed that gender, age, BMI, residency area, educational level, university degree, health and diet statuses, and activity level were significant predictors of the KAP score. Being on a diet had the highest odds (OR=3.107, CI=1.904-5.072, p<0.001).

Conclusion: The low awareness of food labels leads Lebanese people to choose unhealthy food options. A planned educational program is recommended to ease the interpretation of these labels.

Assessment of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Lebanese shoppers towards food labeling: The first steps in the Nutri-score roadmap

Background: Food labeling is a fundamental educational tool for advocating for public awareness. It emphasizes knowledge of the nutrient content of food and thus directs the choice towards the healthiest food products. This cross-sectional survey aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding nutrition label use in Lebanon through a valid questionnaire. Methods: Overall, 768 participants (mean age: 30.8 ±12, males: 60.2%) were recruited randomly between February and May 2020. We used word of mouth and social media to recruit our sample population. Results: Social media was the most accessed tool to attain nutrition information by responders (39.8%). More than half the participants expressed positive attitudes to check information related to sugars (66.4%), vitamins (64.9%), total fats (61.7%), proteins (59.1%), and calories (58.7%) on the food label. Expiry date, price, and brand name were the top three considerations while reading food labels. About half (46.5%) reported to “always” look at the food label. Responders reported reading labels related primarily to sugars (44.3%), calories (38.8%), and total fats (36.8%). The optimal total KAP score was 46; our findings revealed a mean KAP score of 14.46 ±7 (31.4%). When categorizing the KAP scores, 15% had high scores, and 85% scored low. Spearman’s coefficients showed positive correlations between knowledge-attitude, knowledge-practice, and attitude-practice scores, with p<0.001. The regression analysis revealed that gender, age, BMI, residency area, educational level, university degree, health and diet statuses, and activity level were significant predictors of the KAP score. Being on a diet had the highest odds (OR=3.107, CI=1.904-5.072, p<0.001). Conclusion: The low awareness of food labels leads Lebanese people to choose unhealthy food options. A planned educational program is recommended to ease the interpretation of these labels.