Cent Eur J Public Health 2020, 28(4):267-273 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a6180

Evaluation of public knowledge and beliefs of adverse health effects of unhealthy food and knowledge and beliefs based inequalities among various socio-demographic groups in Lithuania

Žymantas Žandaras¹, Valerij Dobrovolskij¹, Rūta Maceinaitė¹, Birutė Strukčinskienė², Rokas Arlauskas¹, Rimantas Stukas¹

¹ Department of Public Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania

² Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania

Objectives: The availability of information on healthy products does not ensure the empowerment of people with the knowledge on how to choose or avoid food products or dishes depending on unhealthy factors. Public knowledge and beliefs of unhealthy food effects on health needs to be evaluated so that appropriate measures can be taken to properly inform people and relevant socio-demographic groups.

Methods: The original survey questionnaire containing questions about specific food groups and various health effects was compiled. A total of 1,007 respondents, Lithuanian residents aged 18-75 years, were surveyed in March 2019. Multilevel stratified probability sampling method was used for data representativeness.

Results: Almost half of respondents (46.2%) knew that deep-fried food could cause cancer. The majority of respondents (68.4%) were aware that sugar causes obesity and 61.7% were aware that sugar increases the risk of diabetes mellitus; 41.6% (more often those living in non-rural areas) know that grilled meat may cause cancer. More than half of respondents (57.2%) (more likely those living in non-rural areas and those with a university degree) were aware that smoked meat products may cause cancer. Only 46.4% were aware of the fact that salt raises blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Conclusion: Only about half of Lithuanian residents aged 18-75 were aware of the scientifically proven harmful effects of unhealthy food groups. Socio-demographic factors influence the knowledge and beliefs of the population.

Keywords: unhealthy food, junk food, knowledge, beliefs

Received: March 16, 2020; Revised: November 18, 2020; Accepted: November 18, 2020; Published: December 18, 2020  Show citation