Reasons, Behaviours and Expected Change, if Level of Health Risk was Known, in Snacks and Drinks Consumption of Thai Adolescents

Abstract

         Clear food labeling that categorises processed foods into different levels according to the amounts of health-risk ingredients is one of strategies recommended to improve populations’ eating behaviours. This study was to assess and compare reasons for purchasing snacks and drinks, current behaviours relating to consumption and possible change if level of health risk was known, in a group of Thai adolescents. In addition, reasons for purchasing and behaviours were compared between groups with different socioeconomic status. In all, 408 adolescents, aged 15-25, were interviewed. Data were analysed by descriptive and statistically comparative analyses. Results showed that taste, easy access, routine and price were the most common reasons for purchasing. Only 4.9 percent always based on healthy reason, while 17.2 percent and 5.4 percent always read and used food label respectively. For snacks and drinks usually consumed, 47.1 percent always consumed junk food while 16.9 percent selected healthy snacks mostly. Proportions of healthy snacks consumed positively related to a healthy reason for purchasing (p<0.001), frequent reading (p<0.05) and consulting food labels (p<0.001); and negatively related to reasons for purchasing as media and social reinforcement (p<0.05) and easy access (p<0.05). If clear food labeling was applied, 37.5 percent presumed that they would not change their behaviours at all, while 13.2 percent certainly would. Those considering healthy reason, currently read and consulted food labels, usually consumed healthy snacks were more likely to improve their behaviours. Thus, clear food labeling might not be able to improve eating behaviours of all Thai youths through providing information, however it possibly induce companies to produce more healthy options and create social responsibility leading to healthy eating norm. Other socio-environmental strategies regarding distribution and price might contribute to the improvement of eating behaviours.

Key words: adolescents, drinks, eating behaviour, food label, snacks