Consumer attitude, knowledge and use of nutrition information

The burden of diseases in Tanzania is high, with communicable diseases still prevailing. Increasingly the country is confronted with the "double burden of diseases" due to non-communicable diseases such as cancer, cardio-vascular diseases, nutritional disorders, and diabetes mellitus (Tanzania Health Sector Strategic Plan III-2008). This work firstly, explored consumer attitudes and behaviour towards the consumption of energy dense foods. Secondly, it assessed consumer use of nutrition information and identified the available sources of nutrition information. Thirdly, it determined consumer's perceived quality of the available nutrition information and lastly it assessed consumer's nutrition knowledge and interet in healthy eating. In line with the findings of this work, food product companies and other stakeholders need to come up with less detailed but comprehensive food lables. The media, as major source of nutrition information to consumers requires regulatory procedures by an authoritative body. This also should ensure uniform standards of food products in all types of shopping places, thus ensuring appropriate nutrition information for informed food choices and health eating.