Consumers knowledge about dietary fibre — Results of a survey questionnaire in Hungary and Romania

Abstract

Dietary fi bres (DFs) are essential components of the balanced diet. Even though the adequate level of their consumption can be ensured from several natural (e.g. fruit, vegetables, legumes) and 'artifi cial' sources (e.g. functional foods), the consumed levels are below the recommendations. To analyse the Hungarian and Romanian consumers' knowledge level, their perceptions of the health benefi ts associated with fi bre, as well as the recognition of the potential information sources, a survey questionnaire was conducted with the total of 713 consumers. Results showed that the level of knowledge about DFs was not adequate. Internet was found to be widely used and identifi ed as one of the most appropriate information sources to encourage the consumption of DF. It was a favourable result that three-quarter of the respondents was interested in the topic of healthy food consumption; however, just less than half of them took into consideration the label information during their shopping decisions. To increase the consumption of DF and to support the responsibility and conscious consumer decisions steps must to be done (e.g. education of children, pointing out of the sources). For this purpose, modern information technology and communication channels fi tting to the consumers' cultural and personal particularities can be utilized.

Insight of Dietary Fibers Consumption and Obesity Prevention

“…Studies performed in the last years [1][2][3]7,9], showed that DF intake was below the recommended value, and the prevalence of cancer and obesity increased in the last decade, data that sustain the need for proper educational intervention and an updated national food-based dietary guidelines.…”

Drivers and barriers in the consumption of alternative staples. A systematic literature review and future research agenda

“…4.1.3 Awareness through recommendations. Scholars have emphasised that the recommendations or opinions of important others are significantly linked to awareness of alternative staples and are a salient factor in motivating consumers to include alternative staples in their diet (Schyver and Smith, 2005;Sz} ucs et al, 2016). Consumers with cardiovascular disease (CVD) were found to lack awareness of the health benefits of soy foods; however, on the advice of dieticians, they chose to consume them (Schyver and Smith, 2005).…”

“…Many consumers disliked the taste of millet or wholegrain sorghum but consumed them when encouraged to do so by church leaders or doctors. Szűcs et al . (2016) found that Hungarian consumers acquired health information from the Internet, such as that foods containing a high fibre content are good for the body; in contrast, Romanian consumers stated that television was their primary source for information on what constitutes healthy food.…”

Evaluation of consumer habits and knowledge about dietary fibre and fibre-rich products in Turkish population

“…According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the daily recommended intake of DF for an average adult is 25 g per day for a healthy diet (Szűcs et al 2016). The claim of "source of fibre" can be used only if the minimum amount of DF is 3% (w/w) (or equivalent to 1.5 g per 100 kcal), whereas if the amount is more than 6%, then the claim "high in fibre" can be used (EU 2011).…”

“…It was also indicated that Turkey was in the third place among the best informed countries (Guiné et al 2016b). Szűcs et al (2016) also conducted a survey research on 713 consumers from Hungary and Romania, and the results indicated that the level of knowledge about DF was inadequate, and Internet appeared as a frequent source of information to promote the consumption of DF.…”