Title : Decoding nutrition: Parent's awareness and understanding of food labels
Abstract:
Nutrition fact labels play a pivotal role in guiding informed dietary choices and promoting healthy eating habits, especially among children. This study aims to evaluate parents' awareness and understanding of food labels in Surat district, Gujarat, India. Using a structured questionnaire, data was collected from 200 parents to address five key research objectives. These include assessing the level of knowledge and comprehension of nutrition fact labels, identifying factors influencing their understanding, evaluating the impact of label literacy on food choices for children, and analyzing demographic variations such as education, income, and region in label comprehension. Statistical tools such as descriptive analysis, Chi-square tests, and regression modelling were employed to analyze the data.
Preliminary findings suggest significant gaps in parents' comprehension of critical components like serving sizes and daily value percentages. Factors such as education level and urban-rural divide emerged as influential determinants. The study also highlights a positive correlation between nutrition label literacy and healthier food choices for children. Based on the findings, the paper provides actionable recommendations to enhance parental awareness, such as simplifying label formats, introducing pictorial representations, and implementing educational campaigns tailored to demographic needs.