The study of functional food awareness, knowledge levels and consumption frequencies of advisees who consult a private healthy nutrition and dietary counselling

This study has been conducted to determine the awareness, knowledge level and consumption rate towards function foods, of 70 individuals (18 Male, 52 Female), ranging from ages 20-65, who have applied to a private nutrition and dietary consultation center, located in Üsküdar district, İstanbul, between October 2013 and February 2014. A survey, consisting of 4 chapters and 32 questions, has been conducted on all individuals. The rate of individuals, who have knowledge about functional foods, is very low. While the foods that contain dietary fibers and known as functional foods have the highest rate of 72.9%, the foods which the individuals have the least knowledge of are plant sterols and modified margarine products that contain plant sterol esters with a rate of 20%. The most consumed functional foods is salmon, with 100%, the least consumed functional food is cholesterol lowering margarines, with a rate of 14.3%.When the first 3 medical concerns of the participants are considered; the biggest medical concerns were cancer, with a rate of 16.2% weight control with 15.7% and diet and nutrition with a rate of 15.2%. The reason of individuals for using functional foods is for being healthy and fitness with a rate of 74.3%, the least common usage purpose is commented as improving mental condition. 77.1% of the participants have commented that they would consider consuming, provided that they are informed about functional foods. When asked for the sources of functional food knowledge, the participant answer had the following breakdown: 61.4% specialist advice. As the reason for not consuming functional foods, 65.7% has commented that they are harmful. The reasons for consuming functional foods has the following breakdown: 88.6% as per doctor or nutritionist advice. Individuals' reasons, whether they heard the term functional foods, varies significantly depending on sex, education level and income level. The functional food awareness of women is, by comparison, higher than men, with a value of 1.77. The awareness score in men is 1.66. Awareness does not differ in terms of men or women. The benefit belief of function foods in men is at a lower level, when compared to women. The women, compared to men, consider that the functional foods have big benefits. The benefit belief between those who have different education, income levels and have heard the term functional foods do not have a significant difference.