Food label reading and understanding in parts of rural and urban Zimbabwe.

Dt Chagwena,Ngt Mushonga,P Chopera

doi:10.4314/ahs.v14i3.12

Abstract

Overweight and obesity prevalence is rapidly rising in developing countries. The reading and understanding of nutrition information on food packages has been shown to improve food choices and instill healthy eating habits in individuals. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of food label usage and understanding among urban and rural adults in Zimbabwe and its association with demographic and socio economic factors. A cross sectional study was conducted on 320 adults (147 urban and 173 rural) using a validated questionnaire adapted from previous similar studies. Data were analysed using SPSS-17 statistical software. A high proportion (77.2%) of the respondents read food labels. Food label reading differed significantly by educational status (p < 0.05), employment status (p < 0.05) and locality (p < 0.05). Only 40.9% of food label readers mostly understood the information on the food labels. More urban shoppers (86.1%) read food labels than their rural counterparts (66.7%). A significant number of participants (80.6%) indicated they would like to be educated on the meaning of food labels and 80.3% preferred the nutrition information on food labels to be simplified. The study found above average reported reading of nutrition information on food labels with partial understanding. Efforts should be made to determine how all consumers could be made to understand the nutrition information on food labels and use it effectively in decision making.

Highlights

The disease burden from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is rapidly increasing in Zimbabwe and many other African countries based on projections from a few studies 1-3
In this paper, using data from a cross sectional study we have described the prevalence of food label reading and reported level of understanding amongst a sample of rural and urban consumers in Zimbabwe
Food Label reading More females (80.6%) than males (72.5%) were food label readers the difference was not significant

Summary

Introduction

The disease burden from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is rapidly increasing in Zimbabwe and many other African countries based on projections from a few studies 1-3. Overweight and obesity prevalence is rapidly rising in developing countries. The reading and understanding of nutrition information on food packages has been shown to improve food choices and instill healthy eating habits in individuals. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of food label usage and understanding among urban and rural adults in Zimbabwe and its association with demographic and socio economic factors. Conclusion: The study found above average reported reading of nutrition information on food labels with partial understanding. Efforts should be made to determine how all consumers could be made to understand the nutrition information on food labels and use it effectively in decision making.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion