Research Article
Nutritional Awareness and Dietary Practices among Adults Aged 40 and Above: A Cross- Sectional Analysis of Knowledge, Behaviour and Barriers
Smati Sambyal*, Kumar S, Shukla E, Raj M, Kirandeep and Goyal T
University College of Physiotherapy, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot , Punjab, India
*Corresponding author: Dr. Smati Sambyal, University College of Physiotherapy, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, Punjab, India. E-mail Id: drsambyal@ggsmch.org
Article Information:Submission: 22/08/2025; Accepted: 16/09/2025; Published: 19/09/2025
Copyright: © 2025 Sambyal 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
Background: With aging, changing dietary needs and poor nutrition increase the risk of lifestyle diseases. Awareness alone is insufficient, as barriers like lifestyle, affordability and misinformation hinder healthy eating.
Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the level of dietary awareness and nutrition related behaviour among adults focusing on knowledge of macronutrient recommendations, healthy dietary practices and barriers to adopting a nutritious diet.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-structured questionnaire administered both in-person and via google form for wider reach. A total of 150 male and female participants, willing and able to read and write, aged 40 years and above, meeting the selection criteria, were recruited from the general population via convenient sampling. The questionnaire aimed to examine participants demographic profile, knowledge of macronutrient requirements, awareness of recommended sugar intake, dietary behaviour and barriers such as affordability and time constraints for cooking.
Results: In terms of nutritional knowledge, 56.7% (n = 85) of the participants knew the recommended protein intake, while 65.3% (n = 98) understood the difference between good and bad fats. Additionally, 53.3% (n = 80) were aware of the recommended daily sugar intake limit. Regarding dietary behaviours, a significant majority of participants (84.7%, n = 127) preferred home-cooked meals, whereas only 15.3% (n = 23) reported a preference for fast food. Furthermore, 44.7% (n = 67) of participants followed a structured dietary plan such as low-carb or high-protein diets. As for the barriers to healthy eating, 23.3% (n = 35) of the participants found healthy food unaffordable and 34.0% (n = 51) reported lacking the time to cook nutritious meals.
Conclusion: The study found gaps in dietary knowledge and behavior among adults over 40, highlighting the urgent need for nutrition education in public health programs and affordable access to healthy foods.
Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the level of dietary awareness and nutrition related behaviour among adults focusing on knowledge of macronutrient recommendations, healthy dietary practices and barriers to adopting a nutritious diet.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-structured questionnaire administered both in-person and via google form for wider reach. A total of 150 male and female participants, willing and able to read and write, aged 40 years and above, meeting the selection criteria, were recruited from the general population via convenient sampling. The questionnaire aimed to examine participants demographic profile, knowledge of macronutrient requirements, awareness of recommended sugar intake, dietary behaviour and barriers such as affordability and time constraints for cooking.
Results: In terms of nutritional knowledge, 56.7% (n = 85) of the participants knew the recommended protein intake, while 65.3% (n = 98) understood the difference between good and bad fats. Additionally, 53.3% (n = 80) were aware of the recommended daily sugar intake limit. Regarding dietary behaviours, a significant majority of participants (84.7%, n = 127) preferred home-cooked meals, whereas only 15.3% (n = 23) reported a preference for fast food. Furthermore, 44.7% (n = 67) of participants followed a structured dietary plan such as low-carb or high-protein diets. As for the barriers to healthy eating, 23.3% (n = 35) of the participants found healthy food unaffordable and 34.0% (n = 51) reported lacking the time to cook nutritious meals.
Conclusion: The study found gaps in dietary knowledge and behavior among adults over 40, highlighting the urgent need for nutrition education in public health programs and affordable access to healthy foods.
Keywords:Dietary behaviour; Healthy diet; Macronutrients; Nutritional awareness