Effectiveness of an educational and motivational program on food label comprehension skills and use among first-year pharmacy students at Khon Kaen University: a randomized controlled trial 10.55131/jphd/2026/240119
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Online education has become an increasingly important tool for promoting health behaviors, especially among adolescents who are at risk due to poor dietary choices. In Thailand, despite the presence of food labeling systems, many young consumers lack the knowledge and motivation to use them effectively. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an online educational and motivational program aimed at promoting behavioral skills in food label comprehension and food selection and the behavior of using food labels to select food products. A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving fifty first-year students aged 18-20 years old from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. The participants were randomly allocated to experimental (n=25) or control (n=25) groups. The intervention comprised a 3-minute motivational video and an e-book focusing on knowledge specific to promoting food label reading behavior. Both groups initially exhibited fair levels of knowledge, high levels of motivation, fair skills, and a tendency to occasionally read food labels. After the intervention, the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher scores in knowledge (from 10 to 13 out of 16), motivation (shifted from high to very high, score 3.93 to 4.25 out of 5), and frequency of label reading (shifted from occasional to frequent, score 3.00 to 4.00 out of 5). However, no substantial change in food label comprehension or selection skills was observed, possibly due to the short intervention period. This study demonstrates the potential of online interventions in enhancing knowledge and motivation regarding nutritional label reading among university students. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of such interventions across diverse student groups.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Nittithantawattana P, Udomthirap P. Food Consumption Behavior among Thai Adolescents, Impacts, and Solutions. J Phrapokklao Nurs Coll. 2018;28(1):122-128.
Siladaleua S, Saikaew T, Kingkaew WW, Wongpithak K, Phromsorn T. Factors Relating Affect to Foods Nutrition Consumer Behavior of Bachelor’s Degree Students Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Samut Songkhram Campus. Sci technol J Sisaket Rajabhat Univ. 2021;1(1):61-72.
Technology, Epidemiology, and Community Measures Division, Department of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Public Health. Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Situation Report: Diabetes, Hypertension, and Related Risk Factors. 1st ed. Bangkok: Aksorn graphic and design publishing limited partnership; 2019.
Christopher L. Psychosocial Stages of Development. In: Kenneth D, editors. The Encyclopedia of Cross-Cultural Psychology. 1st ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc; 2013. p. 1055-1061.
Ministry of Public Health. Notification of the Ministry of Public Health (No. 367) B.E. 2557 (2014) Labeling of Prepackaged Foods. Government Gazette Vol. 131, Part 102d, dated 6th June B.E. 2558 (2014).
Rimpeekool W, Martyn K, Yiengprugsawan V, Cathy B, Sam-ang S, Adrian S. Food and nutrition labelling in Thailand: a long march from subsistence producers to international traders. Food Policy. 2015;56:59-66
Suladda P, Jiraporn Y, Pawin T, Araya R, Chatchawan P. Full Report: A Study on the Understanding and Utilization of Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labeling among the Thai Population [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2022 Jul 31]. Available from: http://fhpprogram.org/download/front-of-pack-labeling/
Paweena W. A qualitative study of perception of healthier choice logo and behavior toward products with healthier choice logo on consumers in Bangkok [Master of Business Administration Program]. Bangkok: Thammasat University; 2018.
Sangthon S. Marketing Management Influencing Consumers’ Purchase Decision Of Sugar-free Beverage. J Lawasri. 2563;4(1):51-62.
Sindhu S, Madhusudan M. Impact of educational intervention in promoting KAP of food label information to make healthier food choices among adolescents in Bangalore City. J Family Med Prim Care. 2015;12(7):1371-1378.
Moore SG, Donnelly JK, Jones S, Cade JE. Effect of Educational Interventions on Understanding and Use of Nutrition Labels: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2018;10(10):1432.
Sopapan S. Development of Health Education Model Using by Self Directed Learning Media for Chronic Patients. Acad Serv J. 2558;26(2):41-49.
Munro S, Lewin S, Swart T, Volmink J. A review of health behaviour theories: how useful are these for developing interventions to promote long-term medication adherence for TB and HIV/AIDS? BMC Public Health 7. [Internet]. 2007 [cited 2022 Jun 12]. Available from: http://www.nejm.org/ doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMp1010466
Fisher WA, Fisher JD, Harman J. The information-motivation-behavioral skills model: A general social psychological approach to understanding and promoting health behavior. In Suls J, Wallston KA, Editors. Social psychological foundations of health and illness. 1st ed. London: Blackwell Publishing; 2003. p. 82-106.
Rosenstock IM. The Health Belief Model and Preventive Health Behavior. Health Educ Monogr. 1974;2(4):354-386.
Ajzen I. From Intentions to Actions: A Theory of Planned Behavior. In: Kuhl J, Beckmann J, Editors. SSSP Springer Series in Social Psychology. 1st ed. Heidelberg: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg; 1985. P. 11-39
Schwartz NE. Nutrition knowledge, attitudes and practices of Canadian public health nurses. J Nutr Educ. 1976;8(1):28-31.
BUREAU OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE ADMINISTRATION. Announcement of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19. [Internet]. 2019. [cited 2023 May 16]. Available from: https://mhso.dmh.go.th/page/subject_details.php? subject_id=477
Monthicha T. The Situation of Online Learning Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic of Foreign Languages Department Teachers at Pakphanang School in Nakhon Si Thammmarat Province. J lawasri. 2021;1(1):43-53.
Erawan T. One Tablet per Child Policy in Thailand. Acad J Bangk Thonburi Uni. 2019;8(1):220-231.
Benyapa M. The Study of the Guidelines for improving Satisfaction and Social Media In the Protection of Consumers from the Opinion of the Consumer Protection Network. Thai Media Fund J. 2022;1(2):37-55.
Ramsir K, Homsin P, Srisuriyawet R. Effects of an Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Program for Alcohol Drinking Prevention among Female Adolescents. J Health Nurs Res. 2022;38(2):48-58.
Pakwipa T, Pratum S, Warawan U. Effect of Applying Information Motivation and Behavior Skills Model Regarding Dietary Control of Blood Sugar Level Among Persons with Type 2 Diabetes [Master of Nursing Science]. Chaing Mai: Chaing Mai University; 2561.
Chang SJ, Choi S, Kim SA, Song M. Intervention strategies based on information-motivation-behavioral skills model for health behavior change: a systematic review. Asian Nurs Res. 2014;8(3):172-181.
Zahmatkeshan N, Rakhshan M, Zarshenas L, Kojuri J, Khademian Z. The effect of applying the information-motivation-behavioral skills model on treatment adherence in patients with cardiovascular disease: a quasi-experimental study. Int J Community Based Nurs Midwifery. 2021;9(3):225.
Huang H, Yu S, Chou C, Wang F. The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model: An Examination of Snacking-Avoidance Behavior Among Elementary Schoolchildren. Child & Family Behavior Therapy. 2023;45(4): 304-316.
Nooshin P, Monireh A. Using of information–motivation–behavioral skills model on nutritional behaviors in controlling anemia among girl students. Journal of Research & Health. 2017; 7(2):736-744.
Marilyn MB. The information-motivation-behavioral skills model: An examination of obesity prevention behavioral change in children who participated in the afterschool program Virginia Beach Let's Move [dissertation]. Virginia: old dominion university; 2016.
Christopher JM, Yam B, Rajesh G, Ajay K, Pragya D, Jayachandran C. Nutrition Knowledge, Personal Motivation, And Food Label Use Among Indian Adults With Multiple Chronic Conditions: A Moderated Mediation Model. American Journal of Health Education. 2018;49(5):312-325.
Gavaravarapu SM, Saha S, Vemula SR, Mendu VV. Read-B4-U-Eat: A Multicomponent Communication Module to Promote Food Label Reading Skills Among Adolescents in India. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2016; 48(8):586-589.
Dai Z, Jing S, Liu X, Zhang H, Wu Y, Wang H, Xiao W, Huang Y, Fu J, Chen X, Gao L, Su X. Development and validation of the diabetic self-management scale based on information-motivation-behavioral skills theory. Front. Public Health. 2023;11:1-10.
Alexander N, Svenja R, Stephanie M, Jan H, Johannes H. Sensitivity of test items to teaching quality. Learning and Instruction. 2019;60(1):41-53.
Hieke S, Newman C. The Effects of Nutrition Label Comparison Baselines on Consumers’ Food Choices. J Consum Aff. 2015;49(3):613–626.
Ministry of Public Health. Dietary reference intake for Thais 2020. 1st ed. Bangkok: A.V. PROGRESSIVE LTD; 2020.
Deci E, Ryan R. The" what" and" why" of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychol Inquiry. 2000;11(4):227-268.
Bandura A. Perceived self-efficacy as a foundation of agency. In: Cervone D, Bandura A, editors. Social cognitive theory: an agentic perspective on human nature. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley; 2023. p.53–81.
Locke E, Latham G. Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. Am psychol. 2002;57(9):705-717.
Ryan R, Deci E. Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. Am Psychol. 2000;55(1):68–78.
Deci E, Ryan R. Self-determination theory: A macrotheory of human motivation, development, and health. Can Psychol. 2008;49(3):182–185.
Sutton S. Transtheoretical model of behavior change. In: Ayers S, Baum A, McManus C, Newman S, Wallston K, Weinman J, et al., editors. Psychology, health and illness. Cambridge University Press. 2014.
Park MH, Song HY. Transtheoretical model to predict the stages of changes in smoking cessation behavior among adolescents. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024;21(1):123.
Schwarzer, R. Modeling health behavior change: How to predict and modify the adoption and maintenance of health behaviors. Appl Psychol. 2008;57(1):1–29.
Schwarzer R, Luszczynska A. How to overcome health-compromising behaviors: The health action process approach. Eur Psychol. 2008;13(2): 141–151
