Fullmer S, Geiger C J, Parent C R
Division of Foods and Nutrition, College of Health, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112.
J Am Diet Assoc. 1991 Feb;91(2):166-71.
The purpose of this study was to assess consumers' knowledge of current fiber recommendations and their attitudes, understanding, and awareness of health claims on breakfast cereal labels. An incidental sample of 241 respondents was drawn from four grocery stores of a local chain in Utah. Data were collected using a computerized interviewing system. The results suggested that consumers with higher education levels had a better understanding of diet-disease-related messages and a more positive attitude toward health messages on food labels. Knowledge of fiber was significantly correlated with positive attitudes toward health messages and understanding of health messages. Overall, attitudes toward placing diet-disease-related messages on food labels were positive. On a scale of 1 through 250, the mean score was 182.5 +/- 37.5 standard deviation (73%). Consumer knowledge of fiber was low. Out of 15 possible points, the mean score for fiber knowledge questions was 8.8 +/- 2.1 (59%). Consumers were more familiar with the role fiber may play in the prevention or treatment of certain diseases or conditions than with sources, classifications, and recommended intakes of fiber. Understanding of health messages was relatively low (45%). Whereas consumer attitudes toward health messages on food labels were positive, consumers (especially less-educated consumers) did not appear to understand the messages well. These results reiterate the concern for public policymakers to exercise caution and ensure that health messages on food labels are responsible and accurate. The results should also remind dietetic practitioners, who are the nutrition experts, of their continual role in providing and ensuring accurate nutrition education to the public.
本研究的目的是评估消费者对当前纤维摄入量建议的了解程度，以及他们对早餐谷物食品标签上健康声明的态度、理解和认知。从犹他州一家本地连锁超市的四家杂货店中抽取了241名受访者作为偶然样本。数据通过计算机化访谈系统收集。结果表明，受教育程度较高的消费者对饮食与疾病相关信息有更好的理解，对食品标签上的健康信息态度更积极。对纤维的认知与对健康信息的积极态度和理解显著相关。总体而言，对在食品标签上标注饮食与疾病相关信息的态度是积极的。在1至250分的量表上，平均分为182.5±37.5标准差（73%）。消费者对纤维的认知较低。在15个可能的分数中，纤维知识问题的平均分为8.8±2.1（59%）。消费者对纤维在预防或治疗某些疾病或状况中可能发挥的作用比纤维的来源、分类和推荐摄入量更熟悉。对健康信息的理解相对较低（45%）。虽然消费者对食品标签上健康信息的态度是积极的，但消费者（尤其是受教育程度较低的消费者）似乎并未很好地理解这些信息。这些结果再次强调了公共政策制定者要谨慎行事，确保食品标签上的健康信息是负责且准确的。这些结果也应提醒作为营养专家的饮食从业者，他们在向公众提供并确保准确的营养教育方面持续发挥的作用。
