Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of urban and rural households toward principles of nutrition in Iran.MethodsThe study population was Iranian households who live in rural and urban areas in all provinces of the country. The sampling method at households’ level in each province was single stage cluster sampling with equal size clusters. The incumbent data was collected by a structured questionnaire and through the interview with the eligible subject in each household.ResultsA total of 14,136 Iranian households were selected as total sample size, 9,149 urban households, and 4,987 rural households. Around 57.2% of urban and 49.5% of rural households was aware of food groups. Respectively in urban and rural households, about 35.1% and 39.7% had correct knowledge toward roles of food groups. Approximately 41.5% and 39.9% of households had accurate knowledge about reason of food eating in urban and rural areas, respectively. The results showed that 79.6% of them had favorable attitudes.The most of the households consumed red meat and poultry weekly whereas fish was eaten rarely. Fruits, vegetables and dairy were consumed daily in the most of households. Sugar intake was daily in the most of households and cream and butter intake was weekly.ConclusionThe most of households had moderate knowledge and good attitudes. Practice of families about food consumption was good. The results of this study can be used for proper intervention for improving of health society.
Highlights
Nutrition is an important factor in prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cancer and cardiovascular diseases
In this study, a total of 14,136 households were selected as total sample size, 9,149 urban households (64.9%), and 4,987 rural households (35.1%)
The most frequent category of education reported by the respondents was high school diploma and below it (32%) in urban areas and was elementary (37.7%) in rural areas
Summary
Nutrition is an important factor in prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The lifestyle transition with urbanization causing many problems, such as change of food intake pattern, decreasing physical activity, increasing salt and fat consumption that these factors result in increased prevalence of nutrition-related non-communicable diseases [1,2]. 7 out of 10 deaths among Americans each year are from chronic diseases. Cancer and stroke account for more than 50% of all deaths each year? In Iran, chronic diseases accounted for 70% of all deaths in 2002 [4]. Level of nutrition knowledge and attitude are the important factors that influence the dietary practice. Nutrition knowledge may impress dietary practice directly or via nutrition attitude. Dietary behavior may further become pattern of food intake and impress one? The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of urban and rural households toward principles of nutrition in Iran
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