LB009 - DIIETARY HABITS AND FOOD CHOICE MOTIVES IN LITHUANIAN ADULTS: RESULTS OF A 2024 SURVEY

LB009

DIIETARY HABITS AND FOOD CHOICE MOTIVES IN LITHUANIAN ADULTS: RESULTS OF A 2024 SURVEY

G. Bulotaitė^1,2,*, R. Bartkevičiūtė^1,2, A. Barzda^1,2, R. Stukas¹

¹Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, ²Institute of Hygiene, Vilnius, Lithuania

Rationale: Food selection is shaped by various factors, including taste, price, convenience, and perceived health benefits. Health motivation may influence dietary choices that align with dietary guidelines. Understanding whether people who prioritize health benefits actually eat more healthily can help shape effective public health strategies.

Methods: A representative sample of the Lithuanian adult population was formed. In August-December 2024 a total of 807 adult respondents (aged 19–64) were surveyed using questionnaire on their dietary habits. Dietary habits were compared between two groups – those who chose health as the main motive for food choice and those who chose other motives. The reliability of the differences was estimated by the chi-squared test with statistical significance of p ≤ 0.05.

Results: Only 18,1 % of respondents indicated that the most important food choice motive for them was health. Daily intake of fruits and vegetables was not significantly different between groups. Significant associations were found for more frequent whole grain consumption (p ≤ 0,05), less frequent adding of salt to prepared meals (p ≤ 0,05), and a more positive self-assessment of their diet (p ≤ 0,05), and were more common among those who chose food for health reasons. No significant differences were observed in fish consumption, use of iodized salt, or intake of dietary supplements.

Conclusion: Participants who selected food based on health benefits were more likely to engage in healthier dietary behaviors, including more frequent consumption of whole grains, less frequent addition of salt to prepared meals, and more positive perceptions of their own diet. These findings suggest that health-oriented food choices are linked with better nutrition practices and highlight the importance of encouraging health-related motivation in dietary decision-making.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared