Gayani Rathnayaka
Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
Title: Knowledge, attitudes and practices of functional food usage by housewives
Biography
Biography: Gayani Rathnayaka
Abstract
Food is an essential part of our lives, and consumer interest in foods that may provide benefits beyond basic nutrition, or “functional foods,” is thriving (1). However, limited studiesrevealed that knowledge on various dimensions behind functional food is lacking among SriLankans. Hence, assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of functional food
usage among Sri Lankan housewives is essential due to their active participation for decision making regarding food choices. A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted to assess the level of KAPs of functional food usage by housewives in selected study population in SriLanka. Data was collected using a pretested interviewer administered questionnaire with three
hundred (n=300) willingly participated housewives in sixteen Grama Niladhari(GN) divisionsin Rathnapura, Balangoda, Katharagama, and Pannala areas in Sri Lanka. Individuals wereassessed by providing scores for knowledge, attitudes and practices sections of thequestionnaire. Then percentage scores obtained by the individuals were assessed as “adequate
level” (≥50%) or “inadequate level” (<50%)
Inadequate knowledge score among participants demands nutrition education aboutfunctional food specially through television to be implemented for them to gain adequateknowledge, plus adequate attitudes and practices than currently.