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Arishi AA, Bakri N, Kariri A, Mahzara N, Mahzari F, Zaybi F, Alatiyyah A, Hadadi A, Moafa E, Al-Musawa HI, Mashbari HN, Hakami IA, Alhazmi A. A Survey on the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Students at Jazan University Regarding Calorie Menu Labeling in Restaurants and a Literature Review. Cureus 2024; 16:e61824. [PMID: 38975516 PMCID: PMC11227441 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global rise in obesity and related health complications has cast a spotlight on the urgent need for initiatives that promote informed dietary decisions. This cross-sectional study investigates the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of university students at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia, regarding menu calorie labeling. The study examines how these variables may affect dietary decisions, body mass index (BMI), and support for proposed legislative measures requiring calorie disclosure on restaurant menus. METHODS The study included 581 Saudi university students who were 18 years of age or older as a convenience sample. A three-part questionnaire that asked about demographics, anthropometric measurements, and attitudes and behaviors related to calorie counting was completed by the participants. Using the Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, version 25.0; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY) program, chi-square, t-tests, and ANOVA tests were used to evaluate the data. Both informed consent and ethical approval were obtained. RESULTS The study finds that, even while more than half of the participants knew their recommended daily calorie intake and exhibited curiosity about calorie information on menus, this knowledge did not always result in healthy eating habits. Participants' opinions and behaviors regarding calorie labeling were significantly correlated with their BMI levels, indicating the importance of education in promoting nutritional awareness and healthy eating habits. New calorie labeling regulations received higher approval from people who regularly ate out. CONCLUSION This study emphasizes the necessity of comprehensive nutritional education initiatives to raise calorie knowledge and encourage Saudi Arabian university students to make healthier eating choices. It also emphasizes the possible effects of legislative measures requiring calorie information on menus, particularly among regular diners. However, while evaluating the results, it is important to take into account the study's limitations, including self-reported data and convenience sample. To support menu calorie labeling legislation and inform targeted public health interventions for university students' eating behaviors, more research that takes cultural quirks and regional settings into account is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz A Arishi
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, SAU
| | - Nawaf Bakri
- Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, SAU
| | | | - Naif Mahzara
- Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, SAU
| | | | - Faisal Zaybi
- Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, SAU
| | | | | | - Esaam Moafa
- Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, SAU
| | | | - Hassan N Mashbari
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, SAU
| | - Ibrahim A Hakami
- Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, SAU
| | - Abdulaziz Alhazmi
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, SAU
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Alangari AS. Restaurants' compliance with calorie labeling policies in food delivery applications. Front Nutr 2023; 10:1281293. [PMID: 38162518 PMCID: PMC10757599 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1281293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background To encourage consumers to make healthier choices, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) released the Saudi Arabia Nutrition Labeling Policy, which requires restaurants to present caloric information clearly on their menus. Food delivery applications are also mandated to present caloric information on their platforms. The aim of this study is to explore how restaurants on food delivery applications comply with the calorie labeling policy. Methods Data were extracted from a widely used food delivery application in Saudi Arabia to include a sample of 120 "healthy food" restaurants. The restaurants were checked for compliance on both the application and the website. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the distribution and association of relevant factors. Results A substantial proportion (43.3%) of healthy foods on delivery applications (n = 120) do not comply with the SFDA calorie labeling policies. Among these restaurants, 56.5% presented the calorie labeling on their menu item. Of those who provided calorie information on their websites (n = 62), 54.8% provided appropriate calorie labeling based on the SFDA policy. There was an association between compliance and the number of restaurant categories but no associations for website calorie labeling, rating, and appropriateness. Conclusion This study provides important findings for policymakers that will enable them to reinforce food calorie policies on food delivery platforms, restaurant websites, social media, and marketing campaigns. Not all restaurants comply with the SFDA calorie labeling policies. Suggestions to present the calorie-related words in Arabic and offer more information to help the consumer make the appropriate food selection decision. Further studies are needed to explore the reasons for and barriers to posting nutritional information on menu items.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz S. Alangari
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Rashaideh A, Al-Nusair M, Alrawashdeh AA, Rababah T, Khassawneh A, Akkam Y, Al Jawaldeh A, Alsulaiman JW, Kheirallah KA. Factors Contributing to the Comprehensive Use of Food Labels in Jordan. Nutrients 2023; 15:4893. [PMID: 38068750 PMCID: PMC10708443 DOI: 10.3390/nu15234893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Food labels are low-cost, informational tools that can help curb the spread of diet-related non-communicable diseases. This study described consumers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to food labels in Jordan and explored the relationship between knowledge and attitude with comprehensive use of food labels. A cross-sectional, online survey assessed Jordanian adult consumers' ability to comprehend the nutritional contents of food labels (knowledge score), their attitudes towards food labels (attitude scale), and how frequently they used different parts of food labels (practice scale). Multivariate logistic regression models assessed predictors of comprehensive use of food labels. A total of 939 adults participated in the study. Total mean scores for the practice scale (14 questions), attitude scale (8 questions), and knowledge score (4 questions) were 49.50 (SD, 11.36; min, 5; max, 70), 29.70 (SD, 5.23; min, 5; max, 40), and 1.39 (SD, 1.33; min, 0; max, 4), respectively. Comprehensive users of food labels (26.4%) were more likely female, responsible for grocery shopping, and had higher mean knowledge and attitude scores. Jordanian consumers seem to have good practices and attitudes related to food label use but suboptimal knowledge regarding content. Future interventions should focus more on enhancing knowledge and awareness related to food labels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amjad Rashaideh
- Department of Public Health, Family Medicine, and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan; (A.R.); (A.K.)
| | - Mohammed Al-Nusair
- Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan;
| | - Ahmad Ali Alrawashdeh
- Department of Allied Medical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan;
| | - Taha Rababah
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan;
| | - Adi Khassawneh
- Department of Public Health, Family Medicine, and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan; (A.R.); (A.K.)
| | - Yazan Akkam
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan;
| | - Ayoub Al Jawaldeh
- Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, World Health Organization, Cairo 7608, Egypt;
| | - Jomana W. Alsulaiman
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan;
| | - Khalid A. Kheirallah
- Department of Public Health, Family Medicine, and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan; (A.R.); (A.K.)
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Cheikh Ismail L, Kassem H, Osaili TM, Hashim M, Obaid R, Radwan H, Mohamad MN, Saleh ST, Al Zomut Z, Abu Qiyas S, Al Rajaby R, Al Daour R, Ali HI, Stojanovska L, Al Dhaheri AS. Public's calorie literacy and perceived effectiveness of restaurant menu calorie labeling in the United Arab Emirates. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293387. [PMID: 37874847 PMCID: PMC10597515 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Restaurant menu calorie labeling is regarded as a promising, cost-effective, and innovative method that will have an impact on the food environment, raise awareness among consumers, and aid in global efforts to prevent obesity. This study aimed to assess the public's calorie literacy, dining practices, and perceived effectiveness of restaurant menu labeling implementation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A descriptive, web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1279 adults in the UAE. Socio-demographic characteristics, calorie literacy, and perceived effectiveness of restaurant menu labeling among participants were investigated. Chi-square analysis was used to compare indicators across demographic characteristics. More females than males completed the online survey, (56.1% and 43.9%). Most of the participants aged < 30 years old (54.8%), The majority of participants reported eating away from home at least once per week (89.6%). 66.0% of participants were knowledgeable about calorie definition, but only 37.1% knew about average daily energy requirements. Younger participants, with a normal BMI, and higher education levels reported a significantly higher likelihood of eating at a chain restaurant with caloric information on the menu (p <0.05). The majority of participants (76.0%) preferred to see calorie information and other nutrition information on menus. To conclude, menu labeling is a welcomed policy to be implemented in food outlets. Further investigation is necessary to ascertain the most efficacious method of presenting nutrition information to consumers to facilitate informed purchasing decisions considering the potential benefits of mandating calorie declaration in obesity prevention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Cheikh Ismail
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
- Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hanin Kassem
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Tareq M. Osaili
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
- Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Mona Hashim
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Reyad Obaid
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Hadia Radwan
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Maysm N. Mohamad
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
| | - Sheima T. Saleh
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Zein Al Zomut
- Jordanian Society for Food and Nutrition, Amman, Jordan
| | - Salma Abu Qiyas
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Radhiya Al Rajaby
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Rameez Al Daour
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, UAE
| | - Habiba I. Ali
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
| | - Lily Stojanovska
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ayesha S. Al Dhaheri
- Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
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Alkhaldy AA, Alhumaidan OA, Alkhunein SM, Alkhalaf MM, Bookari KA, Arrish JM. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Public Interest in the Energy Labelling on Restaurant Menus. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15020466. [PMID: 36678337 PMCID: PMC9866988 DOI: 10.3390/nu15020466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
No study has investigated the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the public's interest in using energy labelling on restaurant menus. This study explores the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the public interest in using energy labelling on restaurant menus and meal delivery applications and the impact of energy-labelling availability on food choices during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire was completed by 1657 participants aged ≥ 18 years. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, 32% of customers visited a restaurant 2-4 times/week. However, during the pandemic, 35% of customers visited a restaurant only once per week. There was no difference in interest in reading energy labelling or using meal delivery applications before and during the pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, about 55% of restaurant customers reported that they had noticed energy labelling, with 42% of them being influenced by the energy-labelling information. Regarding energy information on food delivery applications, 40% of customers noticed energy labelling when using the applications, with 33% of them being affected by the energy labelling. Customer interest in reading about energy on restaurant menus during the pandemic did not change significantly from the level of interest before the pandemic. The interest expressed by the public in using the energy labelling was low both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Areej A. Alkhaldy
- Clinical Nutrition Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80215, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Correspondence:
| | - Omar A. Alhumaidan
- National Nutrition Committee (NNC), Saudi Food and Drug Authority (Saudi FDA), P.O. Box 13312, Riyadh 13513, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah M. Alkhunein
- National Nutrition Committee (NNC), Saudi Food and Drug Authority (Saudi FDA), P.O. Box 13312, Riyadh 13513, Saudi Arabia
| | - Majid M. Alkhalaf
- National Nutrition Committee (NNC), Saudi Food and Drug Authority (Saudi FDA), P.O. Box 13312, Riyadh 13513, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khlood A. Bookari
- Clinical Nutrition Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, P.O. Box 344, Medinah 42353, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jamila M. Arrish
- National Nutrition Committee (NNC), Saudi Food and Drug Authority (Saudi FDA), P.O. Box 13312, Riyadh 13513, Saudi Arabia
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