This study aims to investigate the awareness of food and nutrition labeling and the utilization of food and nutrition information when purchasing processed foods among college students in the Busan area. It also aims to provide basic data for promotin...
This study aims to investigate the awareness of food and nutrition labeling and the utilization of food and nutrition information when purchasing processed foods among college students in the Busan area. It also aims to provide basic data for promoting desirable dietary behaviors and rational selection of processed foods through nutrition education.
The results obtained from this study are as follows:
The survey results from 143 college students in the Busan area are as follows: The average correct rate for nutrition knowledge was 67.9%. Regarding the extent of checking food labeling information, 73.5% of the participants reported that they check food labeling, while 76.3% of those who do not check stated that it is due to "lack of interest," and 10.5% mentioned "not considering it necessary." The analysis of the importance of food labeling information revealed that the expiration date (manufacturing date) was considered the most important. In terms of checking nutrition labeling information, 73.5% of the respondents confirmed nutrition information, while among those who do not check, 73.3% mentioned "lack of interest," and 13.2% cited "not considering it necessary." In terms of ease of understanding nutrition labeling information, 58.1% of the participants stated that they can understand the information after reading it. The most important aspect of nutrition labeling information was found to be "calories." Analyzing the perception level of the food and nutrition labeling system, the statement "More information about the system and nutrition education is needed to enhance understanding of food and nutrition labeling" received the highest mean score of 4.31.
After categorizing the participants into three groups based on their frequency of checking the food labeling information on processed foods (frequent checkers, occasional checkers, and non-checkers), a comparison was conducted. The results showed that both the frequent checkers and occasional checkers had higher scores in nutrition knowledge compared to the non-checkers. They perceived that the more frequently they checked the food labeling information, the easier it was to understand the nutrition information. In terms of the statement "By checking the nutrition information, I can choose nutrients that are good for my body," the frequent checkers and occasional checkers had higher positive response rates compared to the non-checkers. Similarly, for the statement "By comparing the food and nutrition labeling of products from different companies, I can buy the food I desire," the frequent checkers and occasional checkers exhibited higher positive responses compared to the non-checkers. Regarding the statement "The food and nutrition labeling information is well indicated for the information I want to know," the frequent checkers tended to have higher responses compared to the occasional checkers and non-checkers.
According to the results of comparing the frequency of checking nutrition labels when purchasing processed foods, 23.4% of those who frequently check were classified as overweight and 25.0% as obese, indicating relatively higher BMI. In terms of interest in weight control, 34.3% of the group that does not check often, 36.6% of the group that checks occasionally, and 68.8% of the group that checks frequently showed interest in weight control. It was found that the more frequently nutrition labels were checked, the higher the interest in weight control. Both the frequently checking group and the occasionally checking group had higher nutrition knowledge scores compared to the group that does not check. The frequently checking group showed relatively higher responses than the group that does not check in terms of "Being able to choose beneficial nutrients for our body through checking nutrition labels" and "Food and nutrition label information is well provided for what I want to know." The occasionally checking group showed relatively higher responses than the group that does not check in terms of "More information about regulations and nutrition education is needed to increase understanding of food and nutrition labels."