Vol. 9, Issue 7, Part O (2025)

This study provides vital insight into the knowledge and awareness levels of health foods and dietary supplements among women aged 30 to 45 in Udaipur. Using a descriptive cross-sectional methodology, the study collected data from 200 women using organized, face-to-face interviews, assuring clarity and reducing response bias. The demographic focus on women in this age range is especially noteworthy since it represents a life stage with increasing dietary needs, health obligations, and active family care roles. In this setting, understanding how women perceive and use health-enhancing items is critical for developing successful health interventions.

The findings show that, while most women had heard of phrases like "health foods" and "dietary supplements," their knowledge was frequently superficial and characterized by conceptual uncertainty. For example, many people associate health foods simply with organic or natural products, neglecting the broader scientific definition, which includes fortified, functional, and processed foods meant to provide specific health benefits. Similarly, dietary supplements were viewed as nutrient fillers rather than tools with curative and preventative properties. This poor knowledge demonstrates a contrast between awareness and proper understanding, which is critical in nutrition instruction.

Such conceptual gaps are especially troubling considering the increasing popularity and accessibility of these items. In an environment where marketing narratives sometimes outstrip scientific literacy, consumers, particularly women, may choose supplements or health foods based on commercial influences or anecdotal suggestions rather than clinical proof. This raises the possibility of overuse, nutritional redundancy, or lack of basic dietary requirements. The study also highlights women's crucial role in establishing household food habits, emphasizing the larger influence of their knowledge (or lack thereof) on family and community health.

In light of these findings, the study emphasizes the critical need for customized public health education based on women's real-life experiences and informational demands. Nutrition literacy projects should extend beyond awareness campaigns to include conceptual clarification, practical advice, and critical thinking regarding marketing claims. Furthermore, legislators and health experts must work together to develop supportive conditions, such as clearer labelling requirements, controlled product claims, and easy access to health information. Empowering women to make evidence-based nutritional decisions promotes health literacy and resilience.