Investigation of the effect of nutrition knowledge level on the habit of reading food labels in female individuals

This study was conducted to examine the effect of nutritional knowledge level of female individuals living in Istanbul between 01.02.2022 and 01.04.2022 on the habit of reading food labels. The study was conducted out with randomly selected 430 women between the ages of 19-64 who food shoping to home. Data Collection Information Form, which includes sociodemographic information, Nutrition Knowledge Level (YETBİD) Scale, which consists of the subtitles Elementary Nutrition and Food-Health Relationship and Food Preference, and Nutrition Label Reading Attitude Scale were applied to participants. A statistically significant correlation was found between the scores of the subjects in the YETBİD scale Elementary Nutrition and Nutrition-Health Knowledge and age (p=0,015; p<0,05). The scores of individuals under the age of 25 were found to be significantly higher. A significant correlation was found between the total score obtained from the Nutrition Label Reading Attitude Scale and those aged 55 and over. A statistically significant difference was found between the scores of the subjects from the YETBİD scale and their educational status (p=0.001; p<0.01). According to the results; The scores of the cases with postgraduate education were found to be significantly higher. (p=0,001; p=0,021; p<0,05). According to the scores obtained from the YETBİD scale, the scores of health workers were found to be significantly higher than those from other occupational groups. (p=0.017; p<0.05). It was determined that people who received healthy nutrition education scored significantly higher between the food preference sub-dimension and the Nutrition Label Reading Attitude Scale. A positive correlation was found between the scores of the subjects from the sub-dimension of the YETBİD scale and the total score of the Nutrition Label Reading Attitude Scale. (r=0,140; p=0,004; p<0,01) r=0,137; p=0,004; p<0,01). In the light of the results of the study, it is thought that it would be beneficial to organize trainings and seminars on elementary nutrition, food preferences and food labels in order to create a healthy and conscious society. Keywords: Nutrition Knowledge Level, Nutritional Health Information, Food Label Reading Habit