Knowledge, Attitudes and Use of the Food Guide Pyramid by Blue Collar, Inner City, and Suburban Consumers

Abstract

The food pyramid, a representation of a balanced, mixed and varied diet, has been widely disseminated in nutrition education materials and food labels. This study explored socioeconomic and cultural variations in knowledge, use and attitudes about the pyramid. A guided interview was administered between 10 am and 5 pm on weekdays to 115 shoppers who were the primary food purchasers and preparers for 411 household members. Fully 85% said they had heard of and seen the pyramid. Although 42% had not heard of the 5-A-Day program, 86% and 50%, respectively, named vegetables and fruits as preventing disease. Persons over 50, African Americans (AA) and Mexican Americans (MA) were less likely to recognize the pyramid than younger respondents and Anglos, respectively. Of those who recognized it, 87% said that they believed and trusted it and that its goal was “balanced nutrition”. Those over 50 and Anglos were less likely to trust the pyramid. AA and MA shoppers were 2-3 times most likely to have seen the pyramid in doctor's offices; younger shoppers said food labels; and lower income said school. About 3/4 did not use the pyramid in meal planning, but they disagreed that it was too “confusing” or “time consuming”. Two-thirds of shoppers said the pyramid recommended 3 or fewer bread/grain servings per day, 1/5 said 2 or fewer vegetable servings, 1/3 said 2 or fewer fruit servings, and about 1/3 said 1 meat serving. Most could not identify or quantify the topmost section of the pyramid. Different educational strategies are needed to address (a) exposure, (b) knowledge, (c) utilization, (d) distrust, (e) servings and (f) perplexity about the pyramid peak.