engleski

Functional food awareness and perceptions among Croatian and Macedonian University students: Differences by country of residence and faculty of study

Functional foods are natural or processed foods that contain bioactive compounds ; which, in defined amounts, provide a clinically proven and documented health benefit for prevention, management, or treatment of chronic disease. The objective of this study was to assess the awareness and perceptions of the health benefits related to functional food among university students, with emphasis on the differences in the country of residence and faculty study. In addition, the purpose of the survey was to identify the need for information related to functional foods among students. Croatian (n=100) and Macedonian (n=100) university students completed a researcher administered questionnaire created to collect information about functional foods ; including factors for consumption, and awareness of health benefits. Half of the students from each country were students at faculties in the field of social sciences, while others studied at study programmes related to food science and nutrition. The general results indicate that there is a need for further information regarding functional foods in order to improve consumer perceptions and increase the consumption of functional foods, as a part of the healthy lifestyle of the students.

functional food, questionnaire, nutrition, education, health benefits

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