Functional Food Knowledge Among College Students

Abstract

The Knowledge of potential health benefits is always associated with consuming functional foods. The Knowledge includes understanding how certain compounds or nutrients in functional foods may positively impact physiological functions, contribute to disease prevention, and support overall well-being. This study investigates the level of Knowledge regarding functional foods among college students and explores factors influencing their awareness and dietary choices. A diverse sample of college students
from various disciplines participated in a survey to assess their understanding of functional foods, including their definitions, health benefits, and sources. Findings indicate a fair and moderate level of Knowledge of functional foods, with variations based on age and gender factors. The study is descriptive in nature and based on the survey method. A hundred college students from the Madurai District colleges were randomly selected to measure their functional food knowledge. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the information from the students. The collected data were coded, analysed and presented in frequency tables using descriptive and inferential statistics through SPSS package v.26.Social media. Educational interventions emerged as influential sources shaping students’ awareness and dietary behaviours. The study found that ninety-eight per cent of the students regularly included fruits and vegetables in their daily diet. The study found that college students possess a fair to moderate level of knowledge regarding functional foods, and gender and age strongly correlate with their knowledge of available food. The study recommended that there are opportunities for further research to explore the effectiveness of various educational interventions, assess the long-term impact of improved Knowledge on dietary behaviours, and understand the influence of peer networks on the adoption of functional foods among college students.