by Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study based on data from a web-based questionnaire survey.
They identified different web-based and offline media sources that Japanese adults regularly use when seeking nutrition information and found that variables related to media consumption varied widely.
For example, people with higher education were more likely to refer to government websites, newspapers and medical manufacturer websites, but less likely to use television and video sites; and those with a better diet standard tended to refer to newspapers, books and magazines.
“The absence of a positive association between the use of the two main sources (television and web searches) and food literacy or diet quality is highlighted. These findings provide useful insights into the potential for developing and disseminating evidence-based health promotion materials,”the researchers wrote in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance.
While there is a growing demand for nutrition and nutritional information, there are concerns that much of it online may not be accurate.
This creates a challenge for nutrition and health professionals as their campaign may have an impact or be lost on the less discerning target audience.
As all previous studies on nutrition information-seeking behaviors have been conducted in Western countries, the researchers wanted to examine such behavior among Japanese adults regarding healthy eating and its possible consequences. . The objective was to use the results as a reference when devising future public health strategies aimed at improving health.
In February and March 2023, 5,998 Japanese adults between the ages of 20 and 79 participated in a web-based questionnaire survey. The aim was to identify the media platforms that were reliable sources of nutrition information among the public, and the characteristics of those who tended to use certain platforms.
These characteristics were also considered in the study: Health literacy (the ability to access, understand and use information to promote and maintain health), food literacy (the ability to plan, manage, choose, prepare and intake) and diet quality (as measured by the 2020 Healthy Eating Index, which assesses compliance with the 2020 to 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans).
Participants with higher health literacy tended to use these top six information platforms to obtain nutrition information: Television (32.89%), web searches (22.22%), government websites and medical manufacturer websites (16.62% ), newspapers (15.02%), books and magazines (11.62%), and video sites such as YouTube (10.57%).
Individuals with higher food literacy tended to rely less on television for nutrition information, but looked to government websites, medical manufacturer websites, books and magazines, and video sites such as reliable sources.
Those who adhered to a higher quality diet relied more on newspapers, books and magazines for nutritional information.
The researchers also noted some socio-demographic indicators: Women tended to rely on television, books and magazines. Males were more likely to refer to government websites, medical manufacturer websites, newspapers and video sites. Older people were more likely to read newspapers for nutrition information, but younger people were more drawn to government websites, medical manufacturer websites and video sites. People with higher levels of education were more likely to use government websites, medical manufacturer websites and newspapers, but less likely to rely on TV and video sites.
Compared to the general population, dietitians and registered dietitians were more likely to use government websites, books and magazines, and medical manufacturer websites, but less likely to use television sites and videos.
In short, the study shows that a wide variety of sources are regularly used to seek nutrition and nutrition information in Japan. However, it was clear that users with specific characteristics preferred each source.
“Based on these differences in potential users, we hypothesized that each media source should have appropriate topics and best information dissemination strategies,”the researchers said.
For example, the researchers suggested that television, an entertainment-oriented medium, should be used to constantly spread easy-to-understand messages that can start health-related conversations with family and friends. Television can also be very useful for those who multitask such as frequent television users, health managers and family caregivers.
The researchers added, however, that the public should be educated about the type of misinformation that prevails, especially in the digital space. This will help them be more discerning about their sources of information, which will have some impact on the success of campaigns by health and nutrition professionals.
Source: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance
DOI: 10.2196/54805
“Prevalence and Correlates of Nutrition and Nutrition Information Seeking Through Web-Based and Offline Media Sources Among Japanese Adults: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study”
Authors: Kentaro Murakami, Nana Shinozaki et al.
