The
survey involved 1,002 American adults, who completed it online in
March. Nearly 60% of respondents ranked being "high in healthy
components or nutrients" as one of the top three factors for a "healthy"
food.
Slightly
more than half of respondents ranked "free from artificial ingredients,
preservatives or additives" among the top three factors, and nearly 50%
ranked "part of an important food group that I need to build a healthy
eating style" among the top three factors.
Factors such as "organic" and "non-GMO," or genetically modified, were less likely to be ranked.
The
researchers found that there appeared to be much confusion about what
eating habits are healthy and what aren't. Many respondents said they
turn to their friends and family for guidance on food choices, even
though they see dietitians and health care professionals as the most
trusted sources for guidance.
"Trusted
nutrition information is hard to find, and the public is inundated with
conflicting messages, including from dubious sources," said Dr. Dariush
Mozaffarian, dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and
Policy at Tufts University, who was not involved in the new survey.
"Looking
at the survey results, it's positive that the public recognizes the
importance of foods being high in healthy components, nutrients, and
part of an important food group and correctly pay less attention to
criteria like GMO or organic," he said.
When
considering the healthfulness of individual specific components and
ingredients, most survey respondents placed vitamin D, fiber and whole
grains at the top of the list and saturated fats at the bottom.
When it comes to unsaturated fats,
an age gap emerged in who found those fats to be "healthy." About 50%
of survey respondents 65 and older called unsaturated fats healthy,
whereas just 33% of those 18 to 34 did.
"The low recognition of the importance of healthy fats is disappointing," Mozaffarian said.
Older respondents were also more likely to label saturated fats as unhealthy, which most experts agree is correct, according to the survey.
