Read-B4-U-Eat: A Multicomponent Communication Module to Promote Food Label Reading Skills Among Adolescents in India

Abstract

India is home to about 20% of the world's adolescent population, 1 The state of world's children 2011. UNICEF. http://www.unicef.org/sowc2011/pdfs/SOWC-2011-Main-Reportchapter-2_12082010.pdf. Accessed June 22, 2016. Google Scholar over 10% of whom are overweight or obese. 2 Wang Y. Chen H.J. Shaikh S. Mathur P. Is obesity becoming a public health problem in India? Examine the shift from under- to over-nutrition problems over time. Obes Rev. 2009; 10: 456-474 Crossref PubMed Scopus (132) Google Scholar Curbing adolescent obesity, a reason for the onset of adult chronic diseases, has become an important public health priority. The increased availability of processed and prepackaged foods and the increase in consumption of away-from-home foods compared with at-home foods, coupled with limited nutrition literacy and an inability to interpret caloric and nutrient information affect food choices. 3 Gavaravarapu S.M. Vemula S.R. Rao P. Rao M.V. Polasa K. Focus group studies on food safety knowledge, perceptions, and practices of school-going adolescent girls in South India. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2009; 41: 340-346 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (37) Google Scholar , 4 Gavaravarapu S.M. Rao K.M. Nagalla B. Avula L. Assessing differences in risk perceptions about obesity among “normal-weight” and “overweight” adolescents—a qualitative study. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2015; 47: 488-497 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (12) Google Scholar Previous studies have shown that adolescents consider food labels to be a good source of information but they often find the information confusing or too technical. 5 Vemula S.R. Gavaravarapu S.M. Mendu V.V.R. Mathur P. Avula L. Use of food label information by urban consumers in India—a study among supermarket shoppers. Public Health Nutr. 2014; 17: 2104-2114 Crossref PubMed Scopus (33) Google Scholar , 6 Saha S. Vemula S.R. Mendu V.V.R. Gavaravarapu S.M. Knowledge and practices of using food label information among adolescents attending schools in Kolkata, India. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2013; 45: 773-779 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (28) Google Scholar Adolescents prefer to learn about nutrition and label reading in school settings when it is integrated into school curricula. 3 Gavaravarapu S.M. Vemula S.R. Rao P. Rao M.V. Polasa K. Focus group studies on food safety knowledge, perceptions, and practices of school-going adolescent girls in South India. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2009; 41: 340-346 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (37) Google Scholar , 6 Saha S. Vemula S.R. Mendu V.V.R. Gavaravarapu S.M. Knowledge and practices of using food label information among adolescents attending schools in Kolkata, India. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2013; 45: 773-779 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (28) Google Scholar Because school was considered to be an effective platform to reach adolescents, a multicomponent communication module called READ-B4-U-EAT (Read Before You Eat) was developed to promote the use of food label information and informed food choices. The current article assesses the impact of the READ-B4-U-EAT communication module on knowledge and self-reported practices related to the use of food label information among adolescents.