Latvian citizens knowledge about dietary fiber

The positive benefits of DF associated with the regulation of the intestinal transit, and the prevention or treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and regulate colon cancer and obesity. The aim of this research was to collect information on knowledge about dietary fibre on citizens’ of Latvia. The questionnaire consists 22 questions, which aim was to evaluate knowledge on three distinct areas: six for knowledge about food fibres; six for the relation between fibres and variety of foods and 12 for the relations between fibres and diseases. The methodological study was conducted with 231 participants, from which 64.9% were female and 35.1% male, aged between 17 and 80 years. The respondents were selected by convenience, although of age, literacy, gender, geographical area of residence, including people from different cities and smaller villages. 67% of respondents consider that the consumption of sufficient amounts of fibres can prevent or treat different diseases. 85% of respondents have noted that legumes (peas, beans) are source of fibres, but more possible take up the fibre with a combination of vegetables and animal products. This research was prepared in the ambit of the multinational project from CI&DETS Research Centre (IPV e Viseu, Portugal) with reference PROJ/CI&DETS/2014/0001.

Knowledge and attitudes towards dietary fibers - romania vs other european countries

Aim: The aim of our study was to evaluate the Romanian’s knowledge and attitudes regarding dietary fibers compared with other European countries. Materials and methods: We made a cross-sectional survey (part of multinational project from CI&DETS Research Centre, Instituto Politecnico Viseu, Portugal, with reference PROJ/CI&DETS/2014/0001) based on a questionnaire applied in 2015, over 670 Romanian consumers, focused on the attitudes and knowledge towards ingestion of foods rich in fibers. We used the software SPSS for statistics. Results: Our results showed that the knowledge about dietary fibers and also the ingestion of food products rich in fibers were low. The female participants ate more whole grains and fruits than males and pay more attention to food labelling, the Romanian people prefer to stay and eat home than at restaurants especially in rural areas, and the knowledge about fiber’s benefits was significantly related to high education and urban location. Comparing to other European countries, Romania had the highest level of knowledge about dietary fibers definition followed by Portugal, Turkey and Hungary, but the lowest regarding the fibers importance for health after Macedonia, Turkey and Latvia. Conclusion: We sustain the needs for more efficient community interventions and proper information about the importance of dietary fibers for our health and also for the dissemination of the nutritional standards among Romanian population.

Romanian Knowledge and Attitudes regarding Dietary Fibers

Presently, the scientists recognize the health benefits of food fibers in the menu and also plant food sources are at high interest both for general population and food companies. The food companies are responsible for a clear nutrition labelling that will assist consumers to make informed and healthy choices and health providers has to inform the population about the benefits of fibers.The aim of our study was to evaluate the Romanian knowledge and attitudes regarding dietary fibers from food products. We made a qualitative survey based on a questionnaire applied in 2015, over a period of 6 months, over 670 Romanian consumers. It was focused on testing the attitudes and knowledge towards ingestion of foods rich in fibers. For all data analysis we used the software SPSS, from IBM Inc. Our results showed that the knowledge about dietary fibers and also the ingestion of food products rich in fibers were low, and most of the subjects didn’t have any interest to read the nutritional information from food labels. The female participants ate more whole grains and fruits than males and pay more attention to food labelling. Romanian people prefer to stay and eat home than at restaurants especially in rural areas, and the knowledge about fibers benefits was significantly related to education and urban location. We underline the needs for more efficient community interventions and proper information about the importance of dietary fibers for our health and also to improve and disseminate nutritional standards and diet recommendation among population.