Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Elderly Individuals Regarding Food Labels in Isfahan City, ۲۰۲۴

development, and proper nutrition plays a key role in maintaining the health of this age group. Providing accurate and comprehensible information on food labels can assist elderly individuals in making informed and appropriate food choices. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of elderly people regarding food labels in Isfahan city in ۲۰۲۴. This cross-sectional study employed cluster sampling. Isfahan city was divided into four regions, and ۲۵۰ elderly participants were randomly selected from food shopping centers. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of four sections: demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and practices related to food labels. The questionnaire was initially developed and then evaluated by a panel of experts in nutrition, social sciences, and health to confirm content validity. The Content Validity Index (CVI) of the entire instrument was above ۰.۸۵, indicating good validity. Additionally, face validity was confirmed through a pilot test with a sample of elderly individuals to ensure clarity and comprehensibility of the questions. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, which was ۰.۸۷, indicating high internal consistency and reliability of the tool in measuring the knowledge, attitude, and practices of the elderly regarding food labels. Data were analyzed using SPSS version ۲۵. The mean age of participants was ۶۷ ± ۷.۵ years. Sixty percent of the sample were female, and ۷۲% were married. Approximately ۳۸% had a diploma or lower education level, and ۵۲% were retired. A significant relationship was found between education level and knowledge, attitude, and practices toward food labels among the elderly (p < ۰.۰۱). The aspects of food labels that attracted the most attention were the production and expiration dates, as well as nutritional information. Visual impairments and the complexity of label information were reported as the main barriers to using food label information by elderly participants. Considering the importance of food labels in guiding elderly individuals to choose healthy foods and the presence of various barriers to their use, it is necessary for manufacturers and health authorities to design simpler and more understandable labels and provide targeted education to improve the elderly’s utilization of this valuable information.

کلیدواژه ها:

Knowledge ، Attitude ، Practices ، Elderly ، Food Labels