Non-celiac consumer knowledge regarding gluten-free diets

Hou, Andrew (author)
Heacock, Helen (Advisor)
British Columbia Institute of Technology School of Health Sciences (Degree granting institution)
(editor)
(translator)

BACKGROUND: With the rising trend in gluten-free diets, it is imperative that there is high consumer product literacy so that the public makes informed decisions in regards to their diet and health. Knowledge taken from reputable sources and recognizing unsubstantiated health claims regarding gluten-free diets is critical for a non-celiac consumer. METHODS: A survey was used to investigate why non-celiac consumers elect to follow gluten-free diets and why they believe that the elimination of gluten from their diet is healthy. This project also tested consumer knowledge regarding gluten. RESULTS: During a 2 month period, total of 376 individuals participated in the survey. Only 322 participants fell under the inclusion criteria of this study. Women who elected to participate in gluten-free diets (but did not have Celiac’s Disease themselves) had higher overall test scores and men in the general population had lower overall test scores (p = 0.000017). CONCLUSIONS: Based on overall test scores and percentages of correct responses for specific questions, there seems to be deficiencies in both the average consumer and non-celiac-gluten-avoider-consumer knowledge regarding gluten, gluten-free products and diets.

© Andrew Hou 2014. All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright heron may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphics, electronic, or mechanical including photocopying, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without written permission of the author.

2014-08-08

14 pages

Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2014.
Peer reviewed