Consumption of processed meat products in adults: Relationship with food literacy and label reading habits

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the preferences for processed meat products, label-reading habits, and food literacy levels among adults. This study was conducted by conducting an online survey among 632 individuals aged 18-64 who are citizens of the Republic of Turkey, and the participants were selected using the snowball method. Data were collected using demographic information, the Food Label Reading Attitude Scale (FLRAS), and the Short Food Literacy Questionnaire (SFLQ). There were 253 males (40%) and 379 females (60%) among the participants. Their mean age was 26.0 ± 10.8 years, and their mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.52 ± 4.3 kg/m². 61.4% of the participants stated that they read food labels, and 59% of this group indicated that they did so for health reasons. Again, 66.5% of the participants consumed processed meat products. A positive and significant relationship was found between label reading attitude (FLRAS) and food literacy level (SFLQ) (r = 0.33, p < 0.001). A higher correlation was found between FLRAS and SFLQ in female participants than in male participants (female: r = 0.38, p ≤ 0.001; male: r = 0.28, p ≤ 0.001). Although label reading attitudes and food literacy levels were sufficient, this did not significantly affect processed meat consumption behaviour. In conclusion, although individuals had positive attitudes towards label reading and sufficient food literacy levels, this was not directly reflected in reducing processed meat consumption.

Keywords

• Processed Meat Products
• Food literacy
• Label reading behaviors

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