Description

Abstract: In Bulgaria, transition from a centrally planned to a market-driven system brought a substantial decline in real incomes and increase in General level of food prices. Resulting increases in food expenditure shares in household budgets, coupled with traditional diet patterns high in fat, energy, sugar and sodium, could lead consumers to purchase inexpensive and nutritionally unbalanced foods and potentially increase the risk of the incidence of diet-related health problems. Using aconsumer survey data collected in 1997 in Bulgaria, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and consumerconcerns about five salient nutritionalattributes including fat, sodium, sugar, food energy, and protein. Household income, educational attainment level, gender, age and geographic locations were statistically significant in explaining the variations in nutritionalconcerns of Bulgarian consumers. The results provide a basis for the development of public nutrition policies and health education programs paying special attention to the particular needs of identified subgroups of the population in Bulgaria.