SMART4HEALTH – APPS AS HEALTH PROMOTION TOOL: AWARENESS OF FOOD (NUTRITIVE VALUE) APPS AND USAGE IN PURCHASING PRE–PACKAGED FOOD PRODUCTS AMONG CONSUMERS IN URBAN CHENNAI

Sree T Sucharitha; S.Harinie; R.Mathangi; T.Madhumitha

Volume : VI, Issue : XII, December - 2017

SMART4HEALTH – APPS AS HEALTH PROMOTION TOOL: AWARENESS OF FOOD (NUTRITIVE VALUE) APPS AND USAGE IN PURCHASING PRE–PACKAGED FOOD PRODUCTS AMONG CONSUMERS IN URBAN CHENNAI

Sree T Sucharitha, S. Harinie, R. Mathangi, T. Madhumitha

Abstract :

BACKGROUND

Food consumption practices and purchasing habits form a predominant life style in populations. The smart phone apps are designed to display the nutritive values of food items upon scanning of the barcode on pre–packaged food items and also suggest healthier alternatives to the consumers. Indian studies assessing the consumer behaviors on the awareness and usage of apps to aid healthier choices are very much needed to understand the potential of apps as health promotion tools.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to 1. assess the awareness of food–nutritive value apps among consumers 2.determine the use and frequency of usage of food–nutritive value apps to make healthier food choices by consumers 3.ascertain the potential of food–nutritive value apps as health promotion tool

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross–sectional study conducted during Feuary to March 2017 in ten supermarkets in urban residential area of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. A convenient sample of 200 consumers is decided due to paucity of such studies in Indian context. A one–on–one interview using a pre–tested questionnaire was conducted with consumers owning smart phones arriving at supermarkets with the intent of purchasing food products after obtaining written informed consent.

RESULTS Among 200 consumers, 144 (72%) are aware of the food (nutritive value) apps. Hundred (50%) consumers downloaded food (nutritive value) apps of which 52 (26%) are using the apps. 115(57.50%) of the consumers believe food (nutritive value) apps help them in making healthier choices.

CONCLUSIONS A quarter 52 (26%) of the consumers were using nutritive value apps, though only 2 (1%) are using regularly. Consumers expressing their willingness to use the apps and believing their influence on purchase indicates food nutritive value apps potential for health promotion.