Predictors of interest in nutrition topics and willingness to participate in local nutrition programmes.

Objective: To investigate the predictors of interest in nutrition topics and willingness to participate in weight management courses and nutrition-related chronic disease management courses.

Methods: Data from a cross-sectional survey (n = 1007 Koreans aged >or=30) on nutrition-related conditions, nutrition behaviours, interest in nutrition topics and willingness to participate in two types of nutrition education courses, and general characteristics. Binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors of the participants' interest in the topic and willingness to participate.

Results: Younger, richer and more-educated participants were significantly more likely to be willing to participate in 'nutrition-related chronic disease management'. Having a higher income and being male increased the odds of being interested in this topic. Younger, more obese, high-income females and those interested to keep their weight and reduce fatty foods were more likely to be willing to participate in 'weight management'.

Conclusion: There is a need to increase awareness about the link between nutrition and related health problems, especially regarding 'hidden' health problems to tailor the programmes especially for older, low-income and less-educated people and to focus on increasing their interest in nutrition topics.