Rural consumers' attitudes towards nutrition labelling.
OBJECTIVE
Consumer workshops in rural and remote locations were evaluated for their efficacy in changing participants' self-perceived attitudes and behaviours related to nutrition labelling.


METHODS
Project-trained community health educators used pilot-tested workshop resources to facilitate 18 workshops across the country. Participants completed pre-workshop questionnaires to permit the identification of demographic characteristics and attitudes and behaviours related to nutrition labelling at point-of-purchase.


RESULTS
The majority of the 259 consumers who submitted questionnaires were women (81%), and aged 35 to 54 (35%); 51% reported more than a high school education and 34% had less than $25,000 as a yearly family income. Self-perceived attitudes and behaviours related to nutrition labelling differed only slightly by family income before the workshop. Workshops were rated positively (mode=4 [range 2 to 5]). Thirty-five consumers were surveyed three months after the workshop; the majority were women (89%), were aged 35 to 54 (43%), and had completed high school (51%). Self-perceived attitudes and behaviours for all respondents (n=35) had improved. Use of acquired knowledge and skills at point-of-purchase was high for all respondents (mode=4 [range 2 to 5]; five-point Likert scale).


CONCLUSIONS
Providing in-person consumer workshops with pilot-tested materials in rural and remote locations had positive impacts on attitudes and behaviours related to the use of nutrition labelling.
Lindhorst
Kathleen
K
The Backyard Nutritionist, Douglas, ON.
Corby
Lynda
L
Roberts
Susan
S
Zeiler
Sharon
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005515:Food Labeling; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires