Assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices of Saudi adults about calorie labeling in central Saudi Arabia

Abstract

To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of adults regarding the implementation of calorie labeling in restaurants in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 1443 adults invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 4 parts that assess demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mandatory menu labeling. The survey was conducted in all 5 regions of Riyadh. Results: We entered 1265 surveys into final data analysis with a response rate of 88%. Of this, 1036 participants (82%) understood the meaning and values of calories, while 53% knew the average daily caloric intake. Regarding participants' attitudes, 1053 (83%) perceived the importance of calorie labeling and (88%) supported this policy. Approximately 50% (n=626) Original Article of the participants were significantly more likely to be influenced by the calorie labeling to place a healthier order. Married (p=0.050), educated (p<0.001), and higher monthly income (p<0.001) were significantly influenced to place a healthier restaurant order compared to their peers. Conclusion: Adults in Riyadh showed satisfactory knowledge, attitude, and practice since the implementation of this policy. Our findings showed that knowing the value of calories and average caloric intake had a significant positive influence for a healthier diet. This highlights the importance of menu labeling regulations campaigns for the public.

<p>Perceived Effect of Calorie Count Display on Customers’ Eating Behaviors in Food Facilities of Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia: A Mixed Method Study</p>

“…14 Moreover, a study conducted by Alassaf et al in Saudi Arabia showed similar results to our study, where half of the participants changed their order according to the CCD. 10 However, the increase in the percentage of the Dumanovsky et al's study after the enforcement is almost double the percentage in the present study. There are two probable causes for this difference, the first being the fact that the customers there were already using the CCD and were familiar with the concept of CCD in menus before the enforcement, unlike the customers in our study, where they were not familiar with the concept of CCD in restaurants before the implementation in January 2019.…”

“…To our knowledge, this study is the first to address the topic of CCD in the Middle East using a mixed method approach, aiming to know its effect on customers eating behaviors, and the effect of customers sociodemographics, health status, knowledge, and health habits on checking the CCD. Although the topic has been explored very briefly, 8,10 we have uniquely explored the calories ordered by each customer using the customers' receipts. Thus, ensuring the accuracy of comparisons made in this study.…”

“…9 In a recent study done in central Saudi Arabia, Alassaf et al, to assess the knowledge and attitude of adults regarding the new CCD policy, found that 83% of the participants find that displaying the calorie count on menus is important and 88% of them were in favor of the new CCD policy. 10 To date, many studies in different countries explored the effect of this policy on the choices and purchases of customers. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] For example, in New York, it was found that customers who check the calorie count in menus ordered 52 calories less than customers who did not.…”

“…12 The need to assess the effects of the CCD policy from a Saudi perspective arises, especially since it remains in its infancy and is only minimally explored. 7,10 This paper aims to study the changes in customers' behavior after the implementation of this policy as well as the customers' knowledge with regards to the concept of calories and the effect of different demographic factors on the use of the CCD. Moreover, it will discuss the overall eating behavior changes of customers from the perspective of restaurant managers.…”

Is Calorie Labeling on Menus Related to Weight Disturbances among Females in Saudi Arabia?

“…Exposure to calorie information over time through restaurant menus might increase consumer awareness of calories, encourage healthy food choices, help to reduce calorie consumption, change people's attitudes, and make them pay more attention when ordering food from restaurants [8,9]. Recent studies in the Saudi population have assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practice of utilizing caloric information in restaurant menus and found that 24-50% utilized the caloric information on menus when purchasing meals from restaurants [10][11][12].…”