Use of Nutrition Label and Nutritional Status in Community Dwellers in a Northeastern Province of Thailandrovince of Thailand

Abstract

Abstract:This survey research aimed to describe use of nutrition label and nutritional status in community dwellers. The sample included 130 community dwellers living in Det Udom District, Ubonratchathani province. Data were collected using structured interview and nutritional assessment. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results revealed that majority of the sample were female (90.8%), aged 23-78 years (mean age 48.0±10.4 years) with no underlying diseases (66.2%). Only a small proportion of the sample had hypertension (13.8%), gastritis (6.9%), and diabetes and dyslipidemia (3.8%). Most of the sample infrequently viewed advertising media about snacks and beverages (60.0%), drinking some coffee (63.1%), and reading nutrition label before eating snacks (66.2%). The sample had some soft drinks (54.6%), snacks (61.5%), and juices (56.2%). Regarding nutritional status, 33.1% of the sample had normal body mass index (BMI), while, 43.1% were overweight, and 23.8% were obese. The average of BMI (27.3±4.5 kg/m2) and waist circumference (85.4±10.5cm) were excessive. Most of the sample (95.4%) had mild to moderate level of physical activity, while 12.3% never exercise and 40% exercise sometimes. The results from this study should be used by health care teams as information for developing a nutrition health promotion program as appropriate for this population.

Keywords:nutrition label, Food habits, Nutritional status, Community dwellers