Knowledge about dietary fibre: a fibre study framework.

The objective of this work was to study the degree of knowledge about dietary fibre (DF), as influenced by factors such as gender, level of education, living environment or country. For this, a descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken on a non-probabilistic sample of 6010 participants from 10 countries in different continents (Europe, Africa and America). The results showed that the participants revealed on average a positive but still low global level of knowledge, which alerts for the need to take some actions to further inform the population about DF and its role as a component of a healthy diet. The results also indicated differences between genders, levels of education, living environments and countries. The highest level of knowledge was revealed by the participants from female gender, with higher education and living in urban areas. Concerning the country, the best informed were the participants from Romania, followed by those from Portugal and Turkey while the least informed were from Egypt.

[Consumer knowledge about dietary fibre -- Results of a national questionnaire survey]. / Az élelmi rostokkal kapcsolatos fogyasztói ismeret - Hazai kérdoíves felmérés eredményei.

INTRODUCTION: Dietary fibres are key elements of healthy and balanced diet. AIM: The aim of the present study was to explore consumers' knowledge considering fibre, their role in the purchasing decisions, and the cognition of the currently used as well as the possible information sources to encourage the fibre consumption. METHOD: A questionnaire survey was conducted with 303 respondents. RESULTS: Knowledge about the fibre sources has showed a kind of uncertainty of the respondents, while knowledge about their possible health effects was relatively profound. Internet appeared as a remarkable information source in the topic; however, results pointed out the importance of education, too. Participants more often consuming foodstuffs rich in fibre, women and respondents over 45 years old showed conscious attitudes regarding fibres. CONCLUSIONS: Guidelines and education containing authentic information and practical elements are essential, and as a result, consumers' latent knowledge will appear in their conscious food choice decisions.