Knowledge, practices and perceptions of nut metabolisable energy on nutrition labels in Australia: consumers' and stakeholders' perspectives.

Abstract

Objective: Nut consumption is low, with concern regarding weight gain as a barrier to intake. However, evidence indicates no association between nut consumption and body weight. The metabolisable energy of nuts may partly explain this phenomenon. This study aims to qualitatively explore perceptions of presenting nut metabolisable energy on nutrition labels, and the potential influence this may have on consumption.

Design: Semi-structured focus groups and interviews, with an inductive, reflexive approach to thematic analysis.

Setting: Online (Australia).

Participants: 18 years or older, with either no formal nutrition education (consumer group) or formal training and working in nutrition/dietetics, public health, food industry, food regulation or nut growing (stakeholder group).

Results: Four focus groups and nine interviews consisting of twenty participants (n 8 consumers, n 12 stakeholders) in total were conducted. Five major themes were generated: (i) knowledge of nuts varies, and the healthfulness of nuts is conditional on use and preparation, (ii) nuts are versatile in the diet; the intake is low, (iii) consumers perceive over-eating nuts leads to weight gain, while stakeholders consider the whole dietary pattern, (iv) nutrition labelling is confusing for consumers and needs to be transparent and positively framed, if used and (v) knowing nut metabolisable energy will have limited perceived impact on nut consumption and advice and is dependent on the individual and product.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that perceptions of presenting nut metabolisable energy on labels are multi-layered, indicating this strategy may not be straightforward in resolving concerns about weight. Other strategies should be considered to promote nut consumption.