Survey of Knowledge and Awareness about Health Food

Abstract

Objective: We conducted a survey among medical professionals and general consumers to clarify their knowledge and awareness about health foods and related health claims, as well as what information regarding these foods is most important to them. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among general consumers, pharmacists, registered dietitians, and midwives (1,502 respondents) from January to August 2015. The survey included questions about the knowledge, awareness, and image of health food. In this study, "health food" included all foods said to be "good for health." The statistical methods used were the chi 2 and Steel-Dwass tests. Results: Although medical professionals had more accurate knowledge about health food than did general consumers, they also had a more negative image of it. Many respondents believed the national government is the best positioned to assess health food claims. Participants rated claims of "promotion of health" higher than "reduction of the risk of illness." All groups replied that information about the toxicity associated with excess intake of health foods is of greatest importance; however, the importance of safety information was most emphasized by midwives. Conclusions: While the knowledge, awareness, and image of health food differed between general consumers and medical professionals, even the knowledge of medical professionals was insufficient. The degree of expectation regarding accrediting authorities and claims about the effectiveness of health foods differed by medical specialty.