The Relationship Between Knowledge of Healthy Food and Food Additives and Attitudes and Behaviors Toward Safe Food Selection among School Adolescents
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37287/picnhs.v7i1.1627Keywords:
adolescents, attitude, behavior, food additives, knowledgeAbstract
Food safety is a critical public health issue among adolescents, particularly in school environments where exposure to processed foods and snacks containing food additives is high. Limited awareness and understanding of healthy foods and food additives may influence adolescents’ attitudes and behaviors in food selection. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between knowledge of healthy food and food additives with attitudes and behaviors related to safe food selection among school adolescents. This quantitative study employed a cross-sectional design involving tenth-grade students at SMA X Pekanbaru. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of 21 items covering knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported behaviors related to healthy food and food additives. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis to describe respondents’ characteristics and levels of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, as well as bivariate analysis to examine the relationships between variables using appropriate statistical tests. The results indicated that most respondents had a good level of knowledge regarding healthy foods and food additives. However, good knowledge was not consistently accompanied by positive attitudes and healthy food selection behaviors. A significant relationship was found between knowledge level and both attitudes and behaviors toward safe food selection. These findings suggest that knowledge plays an important role in shaping adolescents’ attitudes and behavioral tendencies related to food safety. Continuous and context-based nutrition education is therefore necessary to support sustainable behavioral change.
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