title: Consumer understanding and use of food and nutrition labeling in Turkey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine patterns of food and nutrition labels use by Turkish consumers, and examine constraints on the use of this information.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six regions of Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consumers (n = 1,536), aged 12-56 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level of interest in food and nutrition labels, the perceived sources of information about nutrition, the performance of the food industry at labeling, and sociodemographic factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive statistics and χ(2) statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The uses of food labels and nutrition labels were reported, respectively, by 76.5% and 72.4% of participants. Nutrition label use was significantly associated with sex, age, marital status, educational level, and socioeconomic status (P < .001 for all variables). Barriers to the use of nutrition labels included: the lack of understanding of terms, symbols, and values; poor presentation of the information; and concerns about the accuracy of the information. Consumers who wished to use nutrition labels to make healthful choices demanded a standardized location and format for the labels, as well as simplified information conveyed with comprehensible terms and statements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  New strategies to encourage the effective consumer use of food and nutrition labels should include educational programs and revision of the label format.
authors: Hacettepe University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey. htbf@hacettepe.edu.tr
authors: Halit Tanju
authors: HT
authors: Besler
authors: Zehra
authors: Z
authors: Buyuktuncer
authors: Muhemmed Fatih
authors: MF
authors: Uyar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000592:standards; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult