Research Article
Awareness, Perception, and Use of Front of- Pack Nutrition Labels (FOPNLs) among Parents/ Guardians of School Children: A Mixed-Method Study in South Delhi
Sharma S1*, Chatterjee K1, Samanta I2, Mahajan S3 and Misra A4
1Department of Community Medicine, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India
2Station Health Organisation (Large), Delhi Cantonment, Delhi, India
3Station Health Organisation (Large), Shakurbasti, Delhi, India
4Department of Hospital Administration, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India
2Station Health Organisation (Large), Delhi Cantonment, Delhi, India
3Station Health Organisation (Large), Shakurbasti, Delhi, India
4Department of Hospital Administration, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India
*Corresponding author: Dr. Sakshi Sharma, Department of Community Medicine, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra E-mail Id: sakshi99100@gmail.com
Article Information:Submission: 15/08/2025; Accepted: 03/09/2025; Published: 05/09/2025
Copyright: © 2025 Sharma S, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Introduction: India has been facing a public health crisis of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labels (FoPNLs) are a crucial public health strategy that empowers consumers to make healthier and informed dietary choices. Despite national efforts to standardize labelling in India, little is known about how parents, who are the primary decision-makers for children’s diets, perceive and use these labels..
Aims and Objectives: The study aims to assess the awareness, perception, and use of FOPNLs among parents/ Guardians of school children in South Delhi and explore the contextual factors that influence their attitudes and behaviours toward these food labels..
Methodology: 246 parents/ local guardians of school-going children in a public school in South Delhi were interviewed through a structured,.
pre-validated questionnaire and qualitative insights from semi-structured in-depth interviews, to explore deeper attitudes, motivations, and barriers related to FOPNL use. Quantitative data analysis was done using SPSS Ver 26, and qualitative data analysis using thematic coding..
Results: Quantitative findings revealed that 47.3% of participants were aware of the Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labels (FOPNLs). Education level and health consciousness were significantly associated with higher FOPNL use (p < 0.05). Qualitative findings revealed themes such as “Decoding of labels”, “mistrust of packaged food”, and “children’s food preferences overriding label information”. Results highlight gaps in awareness and understanding, with implications for future health literacy interventions and public sensitization.
Conclusions: The awareness of FOPNLs among parents/ local guardians in South Delhi is average and actual usage in daily food purchasing decisions remains low. The study highlights the need for targeted nutrition education campaigns to improve food literacy and promote healthier dietary choices for children.
Aims and Objectives: The study aims to assess the awareness, perception, and use of FOPNLs among parents/ Guardians of school children in South Delhi and explore the contextual factors that influence their attitudes and behaviours toward these food labels..
Methodology: 246 parents/ local guardians of school-going children in a public school in South Delhi were interviewed through a structured,.
pre-validated questionnaire and qualitative insights from semi-structured in-depth interviews, to explore deeper attitudes, motivations, and barriers related to FOPNL use. Quantitative data analysis was done using SPSS Ver 26, and qualitative data analysis using thematic coding..
Results: Quantitative findings revealed that 47.3% of participants were aware of the Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labels (FOPNLs). Education level and health consciousness were significantly associated with higher FOPNL use (p < 0.05). Qualitative findings revealed themes such as “Decoding of labels”, “mistrust of packaged food”, and “children’s food preferences overriding label information”. Results highlight gaps in awareness and understanding, with implications for future health literacy interventions and public sensitization.
Conclusions: The awareness of FOPNLs among parents/ local guardians in South Delhi is average and actual usage in daily food purchasing decisions remains low. The study highlights the need for targeted nutrition education campaigns to improve food literacy and promote healthier dietary choices for children.
Keywords:Front-Of-Pack Nutrition Labels (Fopnls); Nutritional Education; School Children; Mixed Method Study, South Delhi