Differences in the consumer literacy of the nutrition label across demographic factors

Ramdan Mohamad Rohieszan, Zainol Zuraidah, Osman Juliana, Yahaya Rusliza,

QR Code Link :
Type :	article
Subject :	HB Economic Theory
ISSN :	1985-2126
Main Author :	Ramdan Mohamad Rohieszan, Zainol Zuraidah, Osman Juliana, Yahaya Rusliza,
Title :	Differences in the consumer literacy of the nutrition label across demographic factors

Place of Production :	Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
Year of Publication :	2016

Abstract :

The worsening obesity problem in Malaysia has urged various efforts from various parties to address them. The effective use of the nutrition labels is widely accepted and used as one of the efficient measures to address obesity. However, previous studies on the literacy of the nutrition label, especially among Malaysian consumers are still limited. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the differences in consumers’ literacy of the nutrition label by demographic factors, such as gender, age, education level, income level and ethnicity. This study adopted survey technique and employed a quantitative approach. The sample consisted of 200 respondents, which were selected using random cluster sampling. Data collected were analyzed using Independent Sample T-Test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The results showed that the literacy of the nutrition label varies significantly by gender and ethnicity, but the difference was not significant by age, education level and income level. Specifically, the literacy of the nutrition label is higher among female and Malay. Although these findings provide useful information for designing education and motivation programs towards healthy eating habits among consumers and consequently reduce the obesity problem, this study is limited to a few factors that need for replication and improvements in other studies in the future.

References

1. Altin, S. V., Finke, I., Kautz-Freimuth, S., & Stock, S. (2014). The evolution of health literacy assessment tools: a systematic review. BMC Public Health, 14(10), 1207-1219. 2. Aygen, F. G. (2012). Turkish consumers’ understanding and use of nutrition labels on packaged food products. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 3(6), 171-183. 3. Azli. B., Ahmad Ali, Z., Rusidah, S., Suhaila, A. G., Lin, G. K., Koon, P. B., Norimah, A. K., Cheong, K. C., Kai, C. N., Noor Ani, Ahmad., Syafinaz, M. S., & Tahir, A. (2013). Malnutrition among Malaysian adolescents: findings from National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2011. International Journal of Public Health Research, 3(4), 282-289. 4. Bailey, S. C., Brega, A. G., Crutchfield, T. M., Elasy, T., Herr, H., Kaphingst, K., et al. (2014). Update on health literacy and diabetes. Diabetes Education, 40(5), 581-604. 5. Barreiro-Hurle, J., Gracia, A., & De-Magistris, T. (2010). Does nutrition information on food products lead to healthier food choices?. Food Policy, 35(6), 221-229. 6. Bhattacherjee, A. (2012). Social Science Research: Principles, Methods, And Practices (2nd ed.). Zurich, Switzerland: Creative Commons Attribution. 7. Carbone, E. T., & Gibbs, H. D. (2013). Measuring nutrition literacy: problems and potential solutions. Journal of Nutritional Disorders & Therapy, 3(11), 1-2 . 8. Cha, E., Kim, K. H., Lerner, H. M., Dawkins, C. R., Bello, M. K., Umpierrez, G., & Dunbar, S. B. (2014). Health literacy, self-efficacy, food label use, and diet in young adults. Am Journal Health Behaved, 38(3), 331-339. 9. Cheong, SM., Jasvindar, K., Lim, KH., Ho BK., & Mohmad, S. (2013). Use and understanding of nutrition labelling among elderly men and women in Malaysia. Malaysia Journal Nutrition, 19(3), 353-362. 10. Choi, S. E., Rush, E., & Henry, S. (2013). Health literacy in Korean immigrants at risk for type2 diabetes. Journal Immigrate Minor Health, 15(3), 553-559. 11. Cuk, M. (2009). Graphic alternatives to numerical representation of nutrition facts on food labels. Retrieved February 12, 2016 from http://arhiv.dmagazin.si/Nutrition%20labelling.pdf . 12. Dickson-Swift, V., Kenny, A., Fermer, J., Gussy, M., & Larkins, S. (2014). Measuring oral health literacy: a scoping review of existing tools. BMC Oral Health, 14(10), 148-160. 13. Du Plessis, S.S., Cabler, S., McAlister, DA., Sabanegh, E., & Agarwal, A. (2010). The effect of obesity on sperm disorders and male infertility. Nature Reviews Urology, 7(3), 153-16. 14. Emma, M., Nur Afiqah, M. H., Sabariah, M. S., Abdul Latiff, A., & Hasrul, H. (2015). Health and media literacy: the choice of milk amongst mothers for the growth of children. Malaysian Journal of Communication, 31(2), 83-97. 15. Gan, R. (2014). Malaysians: Most Obese in South East Asia. Are You One of Them? Find Out Here. Retrieved February 16, 2016 from http://www.healthworks.my/author/rachel-gan/ . 16. Garson, G. D. (2013). Validity and Reliability. Asheboro NC USA: Statistical Associates Publishing. 17. Gaskin, J. (2012c). Exploratory Factor Analysis. Gaskination’s StatWiki. Retrieved March 12, 2016 from https://statwiki.kolobkreations.com . 18. Hair, J. F., Anderson, R. E., Tatham, R. L., & Black, W. C. (2010). Multivariate Data Analysis: A global perspective (7th edition ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc. 19. Hawkes, C. (2013). Promoting healthy diets through nutrition education and changes in the food environment:an international review of actions and their effectiveness. Rome, Italy: Nutrition Division Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 20. Hazzi, O. A., & Maldaon, I. S. (2015). A pilot study: vital methodological issues. Business: Theory and Practice, 16(1), 53-62. doi: 10.3846/btp.2015.437 . 21. Huck, S. W. (2012). Reading Statistics and Research. 6th edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc. 22. Malaysia Chemicals Department (2015). Perlabelan makanan. Diperoleh pada November 17, 2015 daripada http://www.kimia.gov.my/fungsi-bahagian/kesihatan-alam-kesihatan/seksyen-makanan/141.html . 23. Jabatan Perangkaan Malaysia. (2015). Report on household expenditure. Retrieved March 12, 2016 from https://www.statistics.gov.my/index.php?r=column/pdfPrev&id=cGpPdWw3REhucFZPdXRpek1Jd3FZUT09. 24. Ministry of Health. (2015). Kegemukan (Obesiti). Diperoleh pada Febuari 12, 2016 daripada http://www.myhealth.gov.my/kegemukan-obesiti/ . 25. Kumar, R., & Srivastava, P. (2014). Impact of nutritional labelling on the consumer behaviour: An empirical study. International Journal of Retailing & Rural Business Perspectives © Pezzottaite Journals, 3(6), 947-953. 26. Lembaga Promosi Kesihatan Malaysia (2011). Modul program promosi kesihatan: makan secara sihat 2011. Diperoleh pada Febuari 13, 2016 daripada http://hlangkawi.moh.gov.my/v4/document/Modul_Makan_Secara_Sihat.pdf . 27. Levine, D. M., Krehbiel, T. C., & Berenson, M. L. (2013). Business statistics, 6th edition. England: Person Education Limited. 28. Mackert, M., Champlin, S. E., Pasch, K. E., & Weiss, B. D. (2013). Understanding health literacy measurement through eye tracking. Journal of Health Communication, 18(10), 185-196. 29. McCaffery, K. J., Holmes-Rovner, M., Smith, S. K., Rovner, D., Nutbeam, D., Clayman, M. L., Kelly-Blake, K., Wolf, M. S., & Sheridan, S. L. (2013). Addressing health literacy in patient decision aids. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making,13(9), S10-S23 . 30. Miller, L. M. S., & Cassady, D. L. (2015). The effects of nutrition knowledge on food label use. A review of the literature. Elsevier Ltd., 92(5), 207-216. 31. Mohd Azlan, A., & Noraziah, A. (2011). Amalan pemakanan dalam kalangan pelajar universiti dan implikasinya terhadap pembelajaran. Jurnal Personalia Pelajar, 14(12), 59-68. 32. Ng, M., Fleming, T., Robinson, M., Thomson, B., Graetz, N., Margono C., et al. (2014). Global, regional and national prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adults during 1980–2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. The Lancet, 384(9945), 766-781. doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60460-8. 33. Nik Jashi, C. J. (2012, April 29). Obesiti boleh jejas kesihatan mental. Utusan Borneo, B2. 34. Norazlanshah, H., Muhammad, I., Hasmira, MD., Mashita, M., Norfazilah, MR. & Fazlyla, N.MF. (2013). The use of nutrition label on food purchasing decision among University Students in Kuantan, Malaysia. Retrieved February 12, 2016 from http://irep.iium.edu.my/34178/1/PUBLISHED_JOURNAL.pdf . 35. Norhidayah, A., & Siti Zaleha, S. (2014). Nutritional label and consumer buying decision: a preliminary review. Proceeded -Social and Behavioural Sciences, 130(4), 490-498. 36. Ormshaw, M. J., Paakkari, L. T., & Kannas, L. K. (2013). Measuring child and adolescent health literacy: a systematic review of literature. Health Education, 113(5), 433-455. 37. Paakkari, L., & Paakkari, O. (2012). Health literacy as a learning outcome in schools. Health Education, 112 (2), 133-152. 38. Pallant, J. (2015). SPSS survival manual: a step guide to data analysis using SPSS 6th edition. Australia: Publish Allen & Unwin. 39. Palumbo, R. (2015). Discussing the effects of poor health literacy on patients facing HIV: a narrative literature review. International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 4(7), 417-430. 40. Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO). (2012). Population-based approaches to childhood obesity prevention. Retrieved February 12, 2016 from http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/childhood/WHO_new_childhoodobesity_PREVENTION_27nov_HR_PRINT_OK.pdf . 41. Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO). (2015). Obesity and overweight. Retrived Febuary 12, 2016 from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/. 42. Petrovici, D., Fearne, A., Jr, R. M. N., & Drolias, D. (2010). Nutritional knowledge, nutritional labels, and health claims on food: A study of supermarket shoppers in the South East of England. British Food Journal, 114(7), 768- 783. 43. Pleasant, A. (2014). Advancing health literacy measurement: a pathway to better health and health system performance. Journal of Health Communication, 19(10),1481-1496. 44. Puiu, M., Emandi, A. C., & Arghirescu, S. (2013). Genetics and obesity. Retrieved February 17, 2016 from http://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs-wm/39509.pdf . 45. Rashidah, A., Balkish, M. N., Mohd Azahadi, O., Nor Azian, M. Z., Syafinaz, M. S., & Tahir, A. (2014). Food label reading and understanding among obese adults: a population study in Malaysia. International Journal of Public Health Research, 4(7), 449-456. 46. Ruzita, A. T., Li, C., Chan., Ismail, M. N., & Thavaraj, S. (2013). Penilaian keberkesanan projek-projek obesiti 2010 yang dibiayai oleh Lembaga Promosi Kesihatan Malaysia. Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia, 11 (1), 49-53. 47. Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2009). Research methods for business students (5th ed.). Essex: Pearson Education Limited. 48. Sekaran, U., & Bougie, R. (2009). Research Methods for Business: A Skill Building Approach (5th ed.). West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. 49. The Nutrition Month Malaysia Secretariat (2014). Makan sihat, bergerak aktif, cegah obesiti. Petaling Jaya: Penerbit Bulan Pemakanan Malaysia Persatuan Pemakanan Malaysia, Persatuan Dietitian Malaysia dan Persatuan Kajian Obesiti Malaysia. 50. Shuhada, M. (2015, November 25). Obesiti vs bulimia. Harian Metro, 10 & 11. 51. Singla, M. (2010). Usage and understanding of food and nutritional labels among Indian consumers. British Food Journal, 112(1), 83-92. Doi:10.1108/00070701011011227 . 52. Smith, S. A., & Moore, E. J. (2012). Health literacy and depression in the context of home visitation. Maternal Child Health Journal, 16(11), 1500-1508. 53. Soederberg Millera, L. M., & Cassady, D. L. (2015). The effects of nutrition knowledge on food label use. A review of the literature. Appetite, 92(9), 207-216. 54. Sørensen, K., Broucke, S. V. d., Fullam, J., Doyle, G., Pelikan, J., Slonska, Z., & Brand, H. (2012). BMC Public Health, 12(10), 80-92. 55. Souiden. N., Abdelaziz .F. B., & Fauconnier A. (2012). Nutrition labelling: Employing consumer segmentation to enhance usefulness. Journal of Brand Management,20(1), 267-282. 56. Tan, AK., Dunn, RA., Samad, MI., & Feisul, MI. (2011). Sociodemographic and health-lifestyle determinants of obesity risks in Malaysia. Asia Pacific Journal Public Health, 23(2), 192-202. 57. Tee, E. S. (2011). Development and promotion of Malaysian Dietary Guidelines. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 20(3), 455-461. 58. Teixeira, M. E. & Budd, G.M. (2010). Obesity stigma: A newly recognized barrier to comprehensive and effective type 2 diabetes management. J. Am. Acad. Nurse Pract. 22(10), 527-533. 59. Teo, P. S., Abdullah, N. F., Mohd Ezane, A., Hills A. P., & Foo, L. H. (2014). Lifestyle practices and obesity in Malaysian adolescents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 11(4), 5828-5838. 60. Washi, S. (2012). Awareness of food labelling among consumers in groceries in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. International Journal of Marketing Studies, 4(2), 38-47. doi:10.5539/ijms.v4n1p38. 61. Weight Loss Management. (2016). Obesity statistic. Retrieved March 12, 2016 from http://www.weightlossmalaysia.com/obesity-statistics/. 62. Yin, R. K. (2014). Case Study Research: Design and Methods (2014). United States of America: SAGE Publications, Inc. 63. Zainol, Z., Yasin, N. M., Omar, N. A., & Hashim, N. M. H. N. (2014). Determining the Key Factors of Customer-Brand Relationship Investments’ Dimensions: Insights from Malaysian Mobile Phone User. Journal of Relationship Marketing, 13(4), 1-25. doi:10.1080/15332667.2014.965649 . 64. Zheng, S., Xu, P., & Wang, Z. (2011). Are nutrition labels useful for the purchase of a familiar food? Evidence from Chinese consumers’ purchase of rice. Frontier Business Research China, 5(3), 402-421. doi:10.1007/s11782-011-0137-0.

This material may be protected under Copyright Act which governs the making of photocopies or reproductions of copyrighted materials.
You may use the digitized material for private study, scholarship, or research.

Back to previous page