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Back ground: Food labels serve as a vital tool in promoting healthy eating habits by providing essential information about the nutritional content of food products. They offer insights into calories, macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients, enabling consumers to make informed decisions that align with their dietary needs and health goals. Despite the availability of this information, numerous studies have indicated that many individuals, particularly young adults, do not consistently read or understand food labels.
College students, in particular, face unique challenges that may affect their engagement with food Labels. These challenges include time constraints, limited budgets, and a lack of nutritional education. Additionally, the university environment often exposes students to a variety of food options, including fast food and convenience items, which may not always prioritize nutritional value. As a result, there is a pressing need to assess the knowledge and reading practices of food labels among this demographic to identify gaps and develop strategies to improve their nutritional Literacy.
Objective: To assess how many participants have knowledge of reading the food label. To assess how many participants read the food label. To assess the reason behind participants reading the food Label. To assess which aspect of the food label do participants read the most (Nutritional label, expiry date, allergens).
Methodology: Data collection involved personal interviews conducted with participants using a structured questionnaire to elicit information on their familiarity with and habits of reading food labels. The questionnaire covered demographic details, including age, gender, and academic major, as well as Inquiries into participants’ understanding of food labels and their frequency of utilization. To delve into secondary objectives, further questioning aimed to uncover the motivations behind participants’ food label reading habits and which aspects of the label they prioritize most, whether it be the nutritional information, expiry dates, allergens, or other factors. It aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of college students’ knowledge and practices regarding food label reading, essential for informing future nutritional interventions and education initiatives.
Result: The findings of this study showed that maximum number of participants included in the study were female (62.5%) as compared to male (37.5%). All participants reported consuming packaged food items, highlighting the ubiquity of this behavior within the demographic. Taste was identified as the predominant factor influencing food choices, with (69.2%) of participants citing it as significant, followed by brand loyalty at (19.2%). Interestingly, only (4.8%) considered the food Label when making selections, price and packaging design rank a lower in importance of (3.8%) and (2.9%) suggesting a gap in food label literacy. Despite this, (91.3%) preferred purchasing labelled food items, reflecting a recognition of the importance of food label information. Approximately half (51.0%) actively read food labels, with the other half citing lack of knowledge(56.9%) , interest (23.5%) , or time as barriers. The most commonly checked label aspects were Expiry date (87.5%) and ingredients (78.8%), followed by MRP (74%) expiry date (87.5%) manufacturing date (61.5%), and nutritional facts(46.2%) . Total fat(73.1%) , calories (61.5%), sugar, protein, and sodium were the most frequently checked nutritional components. Health concern was the primary motivator for reading nutritional labels (82.7%), indicating a strong awareness of the impact of diet on health. Remarkably, all participants (100.0%) acknowledge the role of food labels in aiding them to make healthier.
Conclusion:
The study concluded that while a slight majority of students demonstrated good knowledge of nutrition labels, there remains a significant portion with low understanding. Additionally, it was observed that educational level influenced the likelihood of understanding nutrition labels. however, gender did not significantly impact this knowledge. The findings highlight the Importance of targeted educational initiatives to improve food label literacy among students,
especially those with lower educational backgrounds and incomes. This could ultimately lead to more informed food choices and better health outcomes.
The findings from this study provide valuable Insights into the nutritional literacy and behaviors Of college students. Results indicated varying levels of knowledge and reading practices among participants, with a notable portion demonstrating familiarity with food labels but not consistently engaging with them. Reasons for reading labels ranged from dietary restrictions to health consciousness, highlighting the diverse motivations behind this behavior. Additionally, nutritional information emerged as the most frequently accessed aspect of food labels, indicating a prioritization of understanding the nutritional content of food products. Overall, the study underscores the importance of targeted educational interventions to enhance food label literacy among college students and promote healthier dietary choices. |