EVALUATION OF FOOD LABEL READING AWARENESS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH PHENYLKETONURIA AND THEIR FAMILIES

The aim of the study was to raise awareness and contribute to the literature in the context of evaluating whether individuals with phenylketonuria and their families have a habit of reading labels and awareness related to the concept of nutrition. The study was conducted with 225 volunteers living in Turkey, consisting of PKU or families of individuals with PKU, and the survey questions included in the studies titled “Examination of Label Reading Habits and Nutrition Knowledge Levels of Adult Individuals” and “Examination of Food Label Reading Habits of Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes and the Effect of Label Reading Habits on Food Purchasing Behaviors” were arranged and used according to the purpose of the study. When the awareness of individuals with PKU and their families regarding reading food labels was examined, it was understood that there was a direct proportion between the disease awareness of the individuals in the group and their label reading habits, in line with the study findings. Since no significant relationship was found between the behaviors towards reading label information and the demographic characteristics of the participants, it was concluded that demographic characteristics did not have a direct effect on label reading behaviors. This result is thought to be due to the fact that individuals with PKU are subject to mandatory diet treatment related to the disease, and certain products are supplied via the internet from well-known companies or brands, products and manufacturers have few alternatives, a limited product range, export products are predominant, and products are not easily found. As can be understood from the studies, it is known that various health problems related to health problems can occur in individuals with insufficient nutritional knowledge and who do not have the habit of reading labels, as a result of unhealthy food choices; in these studies, it is observed that sick individuals pay more attention to reading labels than healthy individuals. Since PKU causes irreversible results, it is important for these individuals to pay attention to food labels in order to make the right choices for adequate and balanced nutrition, to gain the habit of reading labels before the disease develops, and to provide the necessary training to create awareness on this issue.