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Perry M, Mardin K, Chamberlin G, Busey EA, Taillie LS, Dillman Carpentier FR, Popkin BM. National Policies to Limit Food Marketing and Competitive Food Sales in Schools: A Global Scoping Review. Adv Nutr 2024; 15:100254. [PMID: 38876396 PMCID: PMC11295572 DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
School food environments contribute to children's nutritional intake and overall health. As such, the World Health Organization and other public health organizations encourage policies that restrict children's access and exposure to foods and beverages that do not build health in and around schools. This global scoping review explores the presence and characteristics of policies that restrict competitive food sales and marketing for unhealthy foods across 193 countries using evidence from policy databases, gray literature, peer-reviewed literature, and primary policy documents. Policies were included if they were nationally mandated and regulated marketing and/or competitive foods in the school environments. Worldwide, only 28% of countries were found to have any national-level policy restricting food marketing or competitive food sales in schools: 16% of countries restrict marketing, 25% restrict competitive foods, and 12% restrict both. Over half of policies were found in high-income countries. No low-income countries had either policy type. Eight marketing policies (27%) and 14 competitive foods policies (29%) lacked explicit guidelines for either policy monitoring or enforcement. Future research is needed to assess the prevalence of policies aimed at improving other key aspects of the school food environment, such as dietary quality of school meals or food procurement, as well as assess the implementation and efficacy of existing policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Perry
- Global Food Research Program, Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Kayla Mardin
- Global Food Research Program, Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Grace Chamberlin
- Global Food Research Program, Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Health Policy, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Emily A Busey
- Global Food Research Program, Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Lindsey Smith Taillie
- Global Food Research Program, Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Francesca R Dillman Carpentier
- Global Food Research Program, Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Hussman School of Journalism and Media, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Barry M Popkin
- Global Food Research Program, Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States; Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
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Melo G. Fruitful changes? Exploring household fruit purchase decisions following comprehensive food policy regulations in Chile. Appetite 2024; 198:107354. [PMID: 38642723 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Changes in unprocessed healthy food purchases associated with the implementation of comprehensive food policy remain understudied. This study analyzes whether, following the announcement, modification, and implementation of Chile's Food Labeling and Advertising law targeting highly processed food (occurring in 2012, 2015, and 2016, respectively), households improved their fruit purchase decisions: purchase participation (i.e., buying likelihood) and purchase quantity. Expenditure data from a representative sample of Chilean households were employed, covering two consecutive survey waves conducted in 2011/2012 and 2016/2017. After controlling for socioeconomic factors (e.g., prices and income), results indicate that only purchase participation increased, providing weak support for positive spillover effects of a comprehensive food policy on fruit purchases. Subsample analyses reveal that this increase was driven by college-educated, childless, and low-income households and was stronger for sweeter and more convenient fruits. Considering that households in Chile do not meet health recommendations for daily fruit intake, additional policy efforts targeting healthy, unprocessed food consumption could be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Melo
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University, USA.
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Quevedo KL, Jáuregui A, Nieto C, Contreras-Manzano A, White CM, Vanderlee L, Barquera S, Corvalán C, Hammond D. Sociodemographic differences in nutrition labels effect on Chilean and Mexican youth. Rev Panam Salud Publica 2024; 48:e33. [PMID: 38576841 PMCID: PMC10993807 DOI: 10.26633/rpsp.2024.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective To examine sociodemographic differences in the awareness, understanding, use and effect of nutrition labels among Mexican and Chilean youth. Methods Online surveys among youth (10-17 years) were obtained in 2019 (n=2631). Participants reported their awareness, understanding, and use of their country-specific nutrition facts tables (NFT) and front-of-pack labels (FOPL) (Chile: warning labels [WLs]; Mexico: guideline daily amounts [GDA]). Additionally, participants reported their perceived healthfulness of a sweetened fruit drink after viewing one of six versions of it with different FOPL (no-label control, Health Star Rating, WLs, GDAs, Traffic Light, or Nutri-Score) during an experimental task. Results Higher self-reported nutrition knowledge was associated with higher NFT and FOPL awareness, understanding, and use, except for WL use. WLs were the most effective FOPL in decreasing the perceived healthfulness of the sweetened fruit drink compared to a no-label condition and other FOP labels. In Chile, the effect of GDA differed by income adequacy, while in Mexico Nutri-Score differed by age. Conclusions Results suggest that nutrition label awareness, use, understanding, and impact differ across demographics, favoring higher income and nutrition knowledge. Despite this, WLs are likely to have a positive impact on nutrition-related knowledge and behaviors among Mexican and Chilean youth, independently of their socio-demographic groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathia Larissa Quevedo
- Instituto Nacional de Salud PúblicaCuernavacaMexicoInstituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
| | - Alejandra Jáuregui
- Instituto Nacional de Salud PúblicaCuernavacaMexicoInstituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
| | - Claudia Nieto
- Instituto Nacional de Salud PúblicaCuernavacaMexicoInstituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
| | - Alejandra Contreras-Manzano
- Consejo Nacional de HumanidadesCiencias y TecnologíasMexico CityMexicoConsejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Christine M. White
- University of WaterlooWaterlooCanadaUniversity of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada.
| | - Lana Vanderlee
- Université LavalQuebecCanadaUniversité Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Simón Barquera
- Instituto Nacional de Salud PúblicaCuernavacaMexicoInstituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
| | - Camila Corvalán
- Universidad de ChileSantiagoChileUniversidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - David Hammond
- University of WaterlooWaterlooCanadaUniversity of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada.
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Walls H, Pries A, Chotivichien S, Huynh P, Fahmida U, Blankenship J. Health first, convenience second: Caregiver perspectives of commercially produced complementary foods in five Southeast Asian capital cities. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2023; 19 Suppl 2:e13600. [PMID: 38062001 PMCID: PMC10719061 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.13600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Caregivers in low- and middle-income countries increasingly feed commercially produced complementary foods (CPCF) to older infants and young children-shaped by factors including industry promotion. The dynamics of CPCF consumption and caregiver knowledge, attitudes and behaviours regarding complementary feeding practices are poorly understood in these settings. We examined how caregiver knowledge/attitudes/behaviours about CPCF shape the feeding of older infants and young children in the capital cities of five countries in Southeast Asia (Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila). An online, web-based, cross-sectional panel survey was conducted among mothers of a child aged 6-23 months. One hundred participants were included in each of the five capital cities. Questionnaires were undertaken in the official language of each city. Data were analysed in Stata (version 17.0), using χ2 tests to examine difference between variables of interest. All mothers purchased CPCF for their youngest child aged 6-23 months at the time of survey. CPCF were commonly fed to children at least once per day, and in many of the five cities at most or every feeding. While factors such as convenience and affordability influenced CPCF purchase, mothers primarily purchased CPCF for nutritional reasons. The most common source of feeding information was health care professionals, followed by social media. CPCF are ubiquitous in the diets of older infants and young children of educated middle-upper socioeconomic status mothers in capital cities of Southeast Asia, with perceived healthiness a key driver in selecting CPCF. A strong governmental regulatory response to industry marketing/promotion will be critical to addressing CPCF appropriateness, including health and nutritional claim use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Walls
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Public Health & PolicyLondonUK
- Helen Keller InternationalNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | | | | | | | - Umi Fahmida
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of MedicineUniversitas Indonesia–Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General HospitalDepokIndonesia
- Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Food and Nutrition (SEAMEO RECFON)Pusat Kajian Gizi Regional Universitas IndonesiaJakartaIndonesia
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Arellano-Gómez LP, Jáuregui A, Nieto C, Contreras-Manzano A, Quevedo KL, White CM, Thrasher JF, Davis RE, Hammond D, Barquera S. Effects of front-of-package caffeine and sweetener disclaimers in Mexico: cross-sectional results from the 2020 International Food Policy Study. Public Health Nutr 2023; 26:3278-3290. [PMID: 37781769 PMCID: PMC10755452 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980023002100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Front-of-package warning labels introduced in Mexico in 2020 included disclaimers that caution against allowing children to consume products with non-sugary sweeteners and caffeine. We examined the awareness and use of the disclaimers among Mexican adults and youth 1 month after the regulation was implemented. We also investigated their impact on the perceived healthfulness of industrialised beverages designed for children. DESIGN Data on the awareness and use of the disclaimers were analysed. Two between-subjects experiments examined the effect of a sweetener disclaimer (Experiment 1, youth and adults) or a caffeine disclaimer (Experiment 2, only adults) on the perceived healthfulness of industrialised beverages. Interactions between experimental conditions and demographic characteristics were tested. SETTING Online survey in 2020. PARTICIPANTS Mexican adults (≥18 years, n 2108) and youth (10-17 years, n 1790). RESULTS Most participants (>80 %) had seen the disclaimers at least rarely, and over 60 % used them sometimes or frequently. The sweetener disclaimer led to a lower perceived healthfulness of a fruit drink (adults: 2·74 ± 1·44; youth: 2·04 ± 0·96) compared with the no-disclaimer condition (adults: 3·17 ± 1·54; youth: 2·32 ± 0·96) (t's: >4·0, P values: <0·001). This effect was larger among older adults and male youth. The caffeine disclaimer did not affect adult's perceived healthfulness of a caffeinated drink (t = 0·861, P value = 0·3894). CONCLUSIONS There were high awareness and use of the sweeteners and caffeine disclaimers shortly after the warning labels were implemented. The sweetener disclaimer appears to be helping consumers modify their perceptions regarding industrialised beverages for children. Findings may help decision-makers improve the regulation and better target communication strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Patricia Arellano-Gómez
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Av. Universidad 655 Col. Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca, 62100, Mexico
- Department of Psychology, Education and Health, Nutrition and Food Sciences, ITESO Jesuit University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Jáuregui
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Av. Universidad 655 Col. Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca, 62100, Mexico
| | - Claudia Nieto
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Av. Universidad 655 Col. Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca, 62100, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Contreras-Manzano
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Av. Universidad 655 Col. Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca, 62100, Mexico
- National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Kathia Larissa Quevedo
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Av. Universidad 655 Col. Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca, 62100, Mexico
| | - Christine M White
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - James F Thrasher
- Department of Health Promotion, Education and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, USA
- Center for Population Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Rachel E Davis
- Department of Health Promotion, Education and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, USA
| | - David Hammond
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
| | - Simón Barquera
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Av. Universidad 655 Col. Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca, 62100, Mexico
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Villaverde P, Tolentino-Mayo L, Cruz-Casarrubias C, Salgado JC, Aburto TC, Barquera S. Hypothetical impact of the Mexican front-of-pack labeling on intake of critical nutrients and energy. JOURNAL OF HEALTH, POPULATION, AND NUTRITION 2023; 42:124. [PMID: 37941048 PMCID: PMC10631037 DOI: 10.1186/s41043-023-00462-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since 2020 in Mexico, front-of-pack warning labels (FOPWL) have been implemented in processed products. Evidence supports warning labels allow consumers to identify unhealthy products. We aimed to evaluate the hypothetical impact of the FOPWL regulation on the Mexican population's intake of critical nutrients and energy, based on the replacement of food and beverages using 4 hypothetical scenarios which represented the phases of the regulation. METHODS Dietary data were collected using a standardized 24-h dietary recall from the 2016 Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey (n = 4184). To evaluate the hypothetical impact of FOPWL, the nutritional content of critical nutrients in processed products was evaluated according to the Mexican Official Standard 051 (NOM-051). Then, we replaced products with several warning labels (WL) with those with a fewer number of them or with non-processed food. For the replacement, 4 hypothetical scenarios were established: scenario 1: the current consumption of the Mexican Population, scenario 2: the replacement during the first phase of the norm, scenario 3: the replacement in the second phase and scenario 4: the replacement in the last phase. We estimated the means, confidence intervals (CI 95%), and the mean percentage change of energy, saturated fat, trans-fat, added sugars, and sodium intake during the second, third, and the fourth scenarios. RESULTS According to the norm, in the second scenario, the majority of the products presented a label for energy (52.6%) whereas in the third (56.4%) and fourth (61.2%) scenarios were for sodium. In contrast, trans-fat was the least labeled nutrient in all the scenarios (from 2.1 to 4.1%). In the fourth scenario, we observed a reduction of the intake of energy intake to 15.4% as well as saturated fat (- 20%, CI 95% - 18.4; - 21.6), trans-fat (- 8.2%, CI 95% - 6.4; - 10.1) and sodium (- 12.7%, CI 95% - 11.3; - 14.1). The most important reduction was observed for added sugars intake (until - 54.1%, CI 95% - 51; - 57.1). CONCLUSIONS FOPWL could be an effective strategy to decrease energy consumption and nutrients of concern. If consumers use the FOPWL, it would be an important change in critical nutrients intake. These results support that FOPWL might help the Mexican population to choose healthier nutrition alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Villaverde
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Lizbeth Tolentino-Mayo
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Carlos Cruz-Casarrubias
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Juan C Salgado
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
- National Council of Humanities, Science and Technology, Mexico. Av. de los Insurgentes Sur 1582, Crédito Constructor, Benito Juárez, 03940, Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Tania C Aburto
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Simón Barquera
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
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Lianbiaklal S, Rehman V. Revisiting 42 Years of literature on food marketing to children: A morphological analysis. Appetite 2023; 190:106989. [PMID: 37524244 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.106989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Despite the preventive measures taken by the WHO, childhood obesity is still on the rise and is expected to increase by 100% between 2020 and 2035. Food marketing continues to permeate children's environments in numerous ways and influence the food behaviour of children, thus significantly contributing to the rise of obesity. Studies suggest that the literature on the effects of food marketing on children is complex and multidimensional. To fully understand these effects, a comprehensive and systematic approach is required. Nonetheless, existing reviews have focused only on specific aspects and have not comprehensively covered the literature on food marketing to children. Therefore, this review aims to navigate potential research gaps in the existing literature through a comprehensive examination of the literature by using morphological analysis (MA) methodology, the first time in this domain. Using PRISMA, 202 papers were considered eligible for inclusion and further analysed using MA. The articles were categorised into three dimensions to develop the MA framework: Stimuli (Food well-being), Organism, and Response, and 34 variants. The review has presented future research prospects by identifying at least 218 research gaps. With these findings, researchers can further explore the gaps and develop new research questions that could foster an understanding of the multifarious literature. Moreover, these findings can also provide marketers and practitioners with a better comprehension of the current state of the literature and develop more effective strategies for responsible marketing practices and policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Lianbiaklal
- Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India.
| | - Varisha Rehman
- Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India.
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Alcaire F, Machín L, Curutchet MR, Giménez A, Ares G. Parent Experiences With Warning Labels After Policy Implementation in Uruguay. JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR 2023; 55:823-832. [PMID: 37804264 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2023.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the perception and experiences of parents of children and adolescents during the first year of the mandatory implementation of nutritional warning labels in Uruguay. DESIGN Qualitative research based on semistructured interviews. SETTING Montevideo, Uruguay. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-eight parents of children and adolescents. PHENOMENON OF INTEREST Perception of and experiences with warning labels, a front-of-pack nutrition labeling scheme that has become increasingly popular in Latin America. ANALYSIS Content analysis of the transcripts based on a deductive-inductive approach. RESULTS Interview transcripts evidenced high awareness, acceptance, and understanding of warning labels among parents of children and adolescents. Most participants reported considering warnings for decision making and changing their purchase decisions because of their implementation, particularly when choosing foods for their children. They reported their children were aware of and understood warnings but did not tend to take them into account when choosing foods. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Results from the present work contribute to the growing body of literature showing the effectiveness of warning labels. Lack of interest or perceived benefits and structural barriers emerged as key motives for not using the warnings when making purchasing decisions, suggesting the need to develop additional strategies to increase policy effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florencia Alcaire
- Sensometrics and Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
| | - Leandro Machín
- Centro de Investigación Básica en Psicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Ana Giménez
- Sensometrics and Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
| | - Gastón Ares
- Sensometrics and Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Pando, Canelones, Uruguay; Centro de Investigación Básica en Psicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Lara-Castor L, Micha R, Cudhea F, Miller V, Shi P, Zhang J, Sharib JR, Erndt-Marino J, Cash SB, Mozaffarian D. Sugar-sweetened beverage intakes among adults between 1990 and 2018 in 185 countries. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5957. [PMID: 37788998 PMCID: PMC10614169 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41269-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are associated with cardiometabolic diseases and social inequities. For most nations, recent estimates and trends of intake are not available; nor variation by education or urbanicity. We investigated SSB intakes among adults between 1990 and 2018 in 185 countries, stratified subnationally by age, sex, education, and rural/urban residence, using data from the Global Dietary Database. In 2018, mean global SSB intake was 2.7 (8 oz = 248 grams) servings/week (95% UI 2.5-2.9) (range: 0.7 (0.5-1.1) in South Asia to 7.8 (7.1-8.6) in Latin America/Caribbean). Intakes were higher in male vs. female, younger vs. older, more vs. less educated, and urban vs. rural adults. Variations by education and urbanicity were largest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Between 1990 and 2018, SSB intakes increased by +0.37 (+0.29, +0.47), with the largest increase in Sub-Saharan Africa. These findings inform intervention, surveillance, and policy actions worldwide, highlighting the growing problem of SSBs for public health in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lara-Castor
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Renata Micha
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
- University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece
| | - Frederick Cudhea
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Victoria Miller
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Peilin Shi
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jianyi Zhang
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Julia R Sharib
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Josh Erndt-Marino
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sean B Cash
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dariush Mozaffarian
- Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
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Mehlhose C, Risius A. Effects of immediate and distant health consequences: different types of health warning messages on sweets affect the purchase probability. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1892. [PMID: 37777719 PMCID: PMC10544146 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16760-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several health control policies have been discussed as a regulatory approach to tackle the increasing prevalence of obesity and other health risks related to sugar consumption. Health warnings, like the ones used in tobacco control worldwide, are one of the most promising approaches. However, in the case of health warning messages for food products, it is much more complicated and involves much more consumer involvement than tobacco guidance. Therefore, it is important to better understand the efficacy, evaluation, and reactance of health warning labels in the food sector regarding consumers' behavior, persuasion, and perceptions. The aim of this study was to examine how different types (design and message) of health warning messages in combination with graphical applications affect consumer behavior. METHODS In a 3 × 3 × 3 symmetrical design, 1,040 German participants completed an online discrete choice experiment including various text-only and image-and-text health warning labels on sweets. An accompanying questionnaire assessed socio-demographic variables as well as psychometric scales to understand the relationship between fear, control, reactance, and shocking/inhibiting/mediating health-related warnings. RESULTS Our results suggest that especially emotional graphical images combined with text health warning labels might be more influential. The health effects of immediate (caries) and more distant health consequences (diabetes/obesity) differ in their impact. Further, results show that especially when consumers engage in a danger control process for overweight, warning messages have a negative impact on their choices. CONCLUSION Hence, warning labels on sweets can potentially be a decisive factor when communicating health threats related to excessive sugar consumption. In the context of a targeted health policy, we see the need for further research, especially concerning the perception and understanding of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Mehlhose
- Marketing of Agricultural and Food Products, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, University of Göttingen, Platz Der Göttinger Sieben 5, 37073, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Antje Risius
- Marketing of Agricultural and Food Products, Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, University of Göttingen, Platz Der Göttinger Sieben 5, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
- University of Education Schwäbisch Gmünd, Institute for Health Sciences, Oberbettringer Str. 200, 73525, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany
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Varela P, De Rosso S, Ferreira Moura A, Galler M, Philippe K, Pickard A, Rageliene T, Sick J, van Nee R, Almli VL, Ares G, Grønhøj A, Spinelli S, van Kleef E. Bringing down barriers to children's healthy eating: a critical review of opportunities, within a complex food system. Nutr Res Rev 2023:1-21. [PMID: 37746804 DOI: 10.1017/s0954422423000203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
This narrative review revises the scientific evidence of recent years on healthy eating in children and adolescents, making sense of promising avenues of action, from a food system perspective. A conceptual framework is provided to better understand how eating habits of children and adolescents are shaped to identify key multisectoral approaches that should be implemented to promote healthier diets. The following influencing factors are discussed: individual factors (physiological and psychological factors, food preferences and food literacy competencies), factors within the personal and socio-cultural food environments, external food environments, and the supply chain. In each section, the main barriers to healthy eating are briefly discussed focussing on how to overcome them. Finally, a discussion with recommendations of actions is provided, anchored in scientific knowledge, and transferable to the general public, industry, and policymakers. We highlight that multidisciplinary approaches are not enough, a systems approach, with a truly holistic view, is needed. Apart from introducing systemic changes, a variety of interventions can be implemented at different levels to foster healthier diets in children through fostering healthier and more sustainable food environments, facilitating pleasurable sensory experiences, increasing their food literacy, and enhancing their agency by empowering them to make better food related decisions. Acknowledging children as unique individuals is required, through interpersonal interactions, as well as their role in their environments. Actions should aim to enable children and adolescents as active participants within sustainable food systems, to support healthier dietary behaviours that can be sustained throughout life, impacting health at a societal level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sofia De Rosso
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000 Dijon, France
| | | | | | - Kaat Philippe
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, F-21000 Dijon, France
| | | | | | - Julia Sick
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Roselinde van Nee
- Wageningen University, Marketing & Consumer Behaviour Group, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Gastón Ares
- Sensometrics and Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Sara Spinelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Ellen van Kleef
- Wageningen University, Marketing & Consumer Behaviour Group, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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12
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Velázquez AL, Vidal L, Antúnez L, Alcaire F, Varela P, Ares G. Children's reaction to sugar reduced dairy desserts in the context of the implementation of nutritional warning labels: An exploratory study. Food Res Int 2023; 170:113001. [PMID: 37316071 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present work was to explore children's reaction to sugar reduction in the context of the implementation of nutritional warnings in Uruguay. The study was composed of two sessions involving three evaluation conditions: tasting without package information, package evaluation without tasting, and tasting with package information. A total of 122 children, ages ranging between 6 and 13 years old (47% girls) were involved in the study. In the first session, children's hedonic and emotional response to a regular and a sugar-reduced chocolate dairy dessert (without other sweeteners) was evaluated. In the second session, children first evaluated their expected liking, emotional associations and choice of packages differing in the presence of warning labels for excessive sugar content and cartoon character (2x2 design). Finally, they tasted the selected sample in the presence of the package and evaluated their liking, emotional associations, and intention to re-taste it. Although sugar reduction led to a significant reduction in overall liking, the dessert with 40% sugar reduction showed a mean overall score of 6.5 in a 9-point hedonic scale and was described using positive emoji (, , ). When the desserts were tasted with package information, no significant differences in the expected overall liking of the regular and sugar-reduced dessert were found. Regarding the effect of packaging elements, the presence of a warning label highlighting excessive content of sugar did not have a significant effect on children's choice. Instead, children's choices were defined by the presence of a cartoon character. Results from the present work provide additional evidence about the feasibility of reducing the sugar content and sweetness of dairy products targeted at children and stress the need to regulate the use of cartoon characters on products with an unfavorable nutritional profile. Methodological recommendations for sensory and consumer research with children are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Laura Velázquez
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, By Pass de Rutas 8 y 101 s/n, CP 91000 Pando, Canelones, Uruguay; Graduate Program in Chemistry, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
| | - Leticia Vidal
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, By Pass de Rutas 8 y 101 s/n, CP 91000 Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
| | - Lucía Antúnez
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, By Pass de Rutas 8 y 101 s/n, CP 91000 Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
| | - Florencia Alcaire
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, By Pass de Rutas 8 y 101 s/n, CP 91000 Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
| | | | - Gastón Ares
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, By Pass de Rutas 8 y 101 s/n, CP 91000 Pando, Canelones, Uruguay.
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13
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Shrestha A, Cullerton K, White KM, Mays J, Sendall M. Impact of front-of-pack nutrition labelling in consumer understanding and use across socio-economic status: A systematic review. Appetite 2023; 187:106587. [PMID: 37169260 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.106587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
An unhealthy diet is a leading contributor to the increasing burden of overweight and obesity. Front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) is being recognized as a policy strategy to promote healthier choices yet there is limited evaluation of FOPL to suggest if it is effective for all population subgroups. This systematic review aimed to assess the impact of FOPL on consumer understanding and usage across socio-economic gradients. Six electronic databases were searched through a systematic search process using key terms for FOPL and socioeconomic status (SES) from 2011 to March 2022 to include studies evaluating the effectiveness of FOPL. A narrative synthesis was conducted and the results were assessed according to the effects of FOPL on consumer awareness, understanding, and usage across SES. The review included 36 articles. In general, people of all SES groups were aware of and more likely to pay attention towards FOPL than the nutrition information panel provided on the back of the package. However, the understanding and usage were relatively poor, particularly in low SES groups. While studies conducted in low SES populations suggest FOPL increased the purchase intention of healthy products, the stratified analysis across SES showed less beneficial effects in low SES individuals. The findings highlight simplified and easy-to-understand FOPLs such as Nutri-score and traffic light labelling are likely to be effective for all populations including low SES groups. Overall, the review suggests FOPLs are more visible than the nutrition information panel and may guide healthier food choices for people of all SES backgrounds. It is unclear whether FOPL influences actual purchasing and food intake as there are insufficient studies comparing the effects among higher and lower SES populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Shrestha
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Rd, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia.
| | - Katherine Cullerton
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, 288 Herston Road, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Katherine M White
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Rd, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - Jenni Mays
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Rd, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - Margo Sendall
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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14
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Fraga ACSA, Theme Filha MM, Bastos MP. Factors associated with ultra-processed foods consumption in a cohort of Brazilian pregnant women. CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2023; 39:e00177022. [PMID: 37436189 PMCID: PMC10494692 DOI: 10.1590/0102-311xen177022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Nutrition during pregnancy is essential for the health of the pregnant woman, the development of the fetus, and the prevention of complications related to pregnancy and the postpartum period. This study described the factors associated with high consumption of ultra-processed foods among pregnant women. This prospective cohort study was performed from February 2016 to November 2019 in two health units in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with data from 344 pregnant women. The first interview was conducted in the prenatal visit at less than 20 gestational weeks, the second at 34 gestational weeks, and the third at two months postpartum. Diet was assessed in the last interview using a food frequency questionnaire, and food items were classified according to NOVA. The percentage of ultra-processed foods consumption was estimated by tertile distribution, and the third tertile represented the highest consumption. Based on the hierarchical analysis model, the associations between ultra-processed foods consumption and sociodemographic, reproductive health, pregestational, behavioral, and pregnancy variables were assessed using a multinomial logistic regression model. Older women had lower ultra-processed foods consumption (OR = 0.33; 95%CI: 0.15-0.71). Few years of schooling (up to 7 years; OR = 5.58; 95%CI: 1.62-19.23), history of a previous childbirth (OR = 2.48; 95%CI: 1.22-5.04), history of two or more previous childbirths (OR = 7.53; 95%CI: 3.02-18.76), and no history of regular physical activity before pregnancy (OR = 2.40; 95%CI: 1.31-4.38) were risk factors. The identification of risk and protection factors allows for the establishment of control measures and encouragement of healthy practices during prenatal care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Claudia Santos Amaral Fraga
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
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15
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Meza-Hernández M, Yabiku-Soto K, Saavedra-Garcia L, Diez-Canseco F. The size of the packaging of ultra-processed cookies prevents them from having octagons despite their high sugar and saturated fat content. Rev Peru Med Exp Salud Publica 2023; 40:369-371. [PMID: 37991042 PMCID: PMC10953658 DOI: 10.17843/rpmesp.2023.403.13119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mayra Meza-Hernández
- CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.Universidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaCRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic DiseasesUniversidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaLimaPeru
| | - Kiomi Yabiku-Soto
- CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.Universidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaCRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic DiseasesUniversidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaLimaPeru
| | - Lorena Saavedra-Garcia
- CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.Universidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaCRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic DiseasesUniversidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaLimaPeru
| | - Francisco Diez-Canseco
- CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.Universidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaCRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic DiseasesUniversidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaLimaPeru
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16
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Furman-Assaf S, Accos-Carmel M, Kolobov T, Blaychfeld-Magnazi M, Endevelt R, Tamir O. Attitudes and perceived knowledge of health professionals on the food labelling reform in Israel. Public Health Nutr 2023; 26:1513-1521. [PMID: 36919667 PMCID: PMC10346017 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980023000447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the attitudes and perceived knowledge of health professionals regarding the food product judgemental-labelling reform that began in January 2020 in Israel. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. SETTINGS An online survey among health professionals working in the Israeli health system. PARTICIPANTS 456 participants (118 physicians, 207 nurses, 131 nutritionists). RESULTS Most respondents (89·9 %) were women, 36 % had over 20 years of professional experience. All nutritionists, 96·6 % of physicians and 94·7 % of nurses reported hearing about the reform, and most (88·9 % of nurses, 76·3 % of physicians and 75·6 % of nutritionists) claimed supporting the reform to a great or very great extent. Most respondents believe they should discuss issues related to healthy eating with their patients (91·8 % of nurses, 94·9 % of physicians and all nutritionists), but only about half (47·5 % of physicians and 57·0 % of nurses) reported that they have sufficient knowledge in this field, particularly about food labelling. Almost two-thirds of nutritionists (60·3 %) reported instructing patients to change their food intake according to labelling v. 40·1 % and 34·7 % of nurses and physicians, respectively. Only some respondents felt that they could influence their patients' nutrition habits. Most participants believe that additional regulatory measures should also be used to promote healthy nutrition. CONCLUSIONS There is a gap between the desire of physicians and nurses to provide nutritional guidance to the public and their actual knowledge about the labels' meaning as well as their competencies in providing nutrition counselling. When formulating a reform, policymakers should provide clear guidelines about the expectations of implementing it in therapeutic practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Furman-Assaf
- The Pesach Segal Israeli Center for Diabetes Research and Policy, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Moran Accos-Carmel
- The Pesach Segal Israeli Center for Diabetes Research and Policy, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Tatyana Kolobov
- The Pesach Segal Israeli Center for Diabetes Research and Policy, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Moran Blaychfeld-Magnazi
- Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
- Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ronit Endevelt
- Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
- Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Orly Tamir
- The Pesach Segal Israeli Center for Diabetes Research and Policy, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
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17
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Ganderats-Fuentes M, Morgan S. Front-of-Package Nutrition Labeling and Its Impact on Food Industry Practices: A Systematic Review of the Evidence. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15112630. [PMID: 37299593 DOI: 10.3390/nu15112630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The obesity epidemic has become a major public health concern globally, and the food supply is a significant driver of this trend. Front-of-package (FOP) labels have been implemented in many countries to encourage healthier food choices. This systematic review aimed to examine the effect of FOP label implementation on food manufacturers' practices. A comprehensive search of multiple databases was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, identifying 39 relevant articles from 1990 to 2021. The studies indicated that FOP labels conveying intuitive information influenced product reformulation, whereas those with numerical information without specific guidance had no impact on reducing unhealthy nutrients. The most common outcomes were sodium, sugar, and calorie reduction. Mandatory policies reported higher and more consistent effects on product reformulation compared to voluntary approaches. Voluntary FOP labeling resulted in low uptake and tended to be applied to healthier products. Food manufacturers responded to FOP labeling heterogeneously, depending on the label design and type of enforcement. FOP label implementation can reduce nutrients of concern but food manufacturers behave strategically by labeling healthier choices. This review provides recommendations for maximizing the benefits of using FOP labels to prevent obesity, and findings can inform future public health research and policymaking.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sherry Morgan
- Holman Biotech Commons, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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18
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Melo G, Aguilar-Farias N, López Barrera E, Chomalí L, Moz-Christofoletti MA, Salgado JC, Swensson LJ, Caro JC. Structural responses to the obesity epidemic in Latin America: what are the next steps for food and physical activity policies? LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2023; 21:100486. [PMID: 37096192 PMCID: PMC10122054 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2023.100486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is among the most complex public health challenges, particularly in Latin America, where obesity rates have increased faster than in any other region. Many countries have proposed or enacted comprehensive policies to promote adequate diet and physical activity under a structural framework. We summarize articles discussing the scope and impact of recently implemented obesity-related interventions in the light of a structural response framework. Overall, we find that: (1) market-based food interventions, including taxes on junk food, nutrition labelling, and marketing restrictions, decrease the consumption of targeted foods, (2) programs directly providing healthy foods are effective in reducing obesity, and (3) the construction of public areas for recreation increases the average frequency of physical activity. Although obesity-related interventions in the region have somewhat improved health behaviours, obesity prevalence remains on an upward trend. We discuss some opportunities to continue tackling the obesity epidemic in LATAM under a structural framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace Melo
- Accountability, Climate, Equity, and Scholarship (ACES), Department of Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Nicolas Aguilar-Farias
- Department of Physical Education, Sports and Recreation, Universidad de la Frontera, Chile
| | | | | | | | - Juan Carlos Salgado
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health and National Council for Science and Technology, Mexico
| | - Luana Joppert Swensson
- Policy and Legal Specialist for Sustainable Public Procurement, Food and Agriculture Organization, Italy
| | - Juan Carlos Caro
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Concepción, Chile
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19
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Paraje G, Montes de Oca D, Corvalán C, Popkin B. Socioeconomic Patterns in Budget Share Allocations of Regulated Foods and Beverages in Chile: A Longitudinal Analysis. Nutrients 2023; 15:679. [PMID: 36771386 PMCID: PMC9920097 DOI: 10.3390/nu15030679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Chile has enacted stringent legislation regulating food and beverage labeling and advertising. This study assesses the changes in the average relative allocations of food and beverage budgets for regulated versus not regulated products in households of different socioeconomic and demographic backgrounds. A household fixed effect before-after model is estimated and the marginal effects in the changes of levels and trends in budget shares and purchased volumes after the implementation of the regulations are examined. The results highlight how impactful food policies can shift consumption toward healthier products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Paraje
- School of Business, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Avenida Diag Las Torres 2640, Santiago 7941169, Chile
| | - Daniela Montes de Oca
- Instituto de Nutriciόn y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago 7830490, Chile
| | - Camila Corvalán
- Instituto de Nutriciόn y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago 7830490, Chile
| | - Barry Popkin
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 123 W Franklin St, Suite 210, CB 8120, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
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20
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Johnson C, Thout SR, Nidhuram S, Hart A, Hoek AC, Rogers K, Shivashankar R, Ide N, Chatterjee S, Webster J, Praveen D. Protocol for the implementation and evaluation of a community-based behavior change intervention to reduce dietary salt intake in India. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich) 2023; 25:175-182. [PMID: 36639981 PMCID: PMC9903196 DOI: 10.1111/jch.14628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Excess dietary salt intake is well established as a leading cause of high blood pressure and associated cardiovascular disease, yet current salt intake in India is nearly 11 g per day, more than twice World Health Organization maximum recommended intake of 5 g per day. Although dietary survey data from India indicate that the main sources of dietary salt are salt added during cooking at home, and few salt reduction efforts have focused on interventions at the household level. As a result, there is little evidence of the effectiveness of behavior change programs to reduce salt intake at the household level. The study aims to develop and implement a community based behavioral change intervention to reduce salt intake delivered by front line community-based health volunteers; and evaluate the preliminary effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of delivering a salt reduction behavior change program and potential to support future scale-up. The study is a pre-post intervention design, and outcomes will be evaluated from a random sample of 1500 participants from 28 villages in two primary health centers in Siddipet, Telangana. Primary outcome is change in salt-related KAB (knowledge, attitude, and behavior) score, and secondary outcomes will be changes in salt intake measured by 24 h urinary sodium excretion and change in scores using the subscales of the COM-B ("capability", "opportunity", "motivation" and "behavior") tool. Findings will be used to inform future public health policies to support implementation of scalable community-based interventions to reduce salt intake and control hypertension, the leading-cause of death in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Johnson
- Food Policy DivisionThe George Institute for Global HealthSydneyAustralia,The School of Public Health and Community MedicineThe University of New South WalesSydneyAustralia
| | - Sudhir Raj Thout
- Research and Development DivisionThe George Institute for Global HealthHyderabadIndia,Indian Institute of Technology HyderabadKandi, SangareddyTelanganaIndia
| | - Spoorthi Nidhuram
- Research and Development DivisionThe George Institute for Global HealthHyderabadIndia
| | - Ashleigh Hart
- Food Policy DivisionThe George Institute for Global HealthSydneyAustralia
| | - Annet C. Hoek
- Food Policy DivisionThe George Institute for Global HealthSydneyAustralia
| | - Kris Rogers
- Food Policy DivisionThe George Institute for Global HealthSydneyAustralia,Graduate School of HealthThe University of Technology SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Roopa Shivashankar
- Resolve to Save LivesAn Initiative of Vital StrategiesNew York CityNew YorkUSA,Indian Council of Medical ResearchNew DelhiIndia
| | - Nicole Ide
- Resolve to Save LivesAn Initiative of Vital StrategiesNew York CityNew YorkUSA
| | - Susmita Chatterjee
- Research and Development DivisionThe George Institute for Global HealthHyderabadIndia
| | - Jacqui Webster
- Food Policy DivisionThe George Institute for Global HealthSydneyAustralia
| | - Devarsetty Praveen
- Research and Development DivisionThe George Institute for Global HealthHyderabadIndia,University of New South WalesSydneyNSWAustralia,Prasanna School of Public HealthManipal Academy of Higher EducationManipalIndia
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21
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Pfister F, Pozas C. The influence of Chile's food labeling and advertising law and other factors on dietary and physical activity behavior of elementary students in a peripheral region: a qualitative study. BMC Nutr 2023; 9:11. [PMID: 36631817 PMCID: PMC9832755 DOI: 10.1186/s40795-023-00671-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2016, Chile implemented the Food Labeling and Advertising Law to fight childhood obesity through front-of-package food labelling, marketing restrictions and school activities and programs. Nevertheless, little is known on its influence on key stakeholders in vulnerable peripheral regions of the country. This study aimed at identifying important influencing factors including the Food Labeling and Advertising Law on dietary habits and physical activity patterns of second graders in Chile, as perceived by school representatives and the children themselves. METHODS Semi-structured interviews with four school directors and 17 groups of three second graders, informal interviews with 9 key teachers and 4 food services staff complemented with documented observations were carried out in four primary schools of the Chilean city of Punta Arenas, in the Magallanes Punta Arenas region. The different sources allowed for triangulation of results. RESULTS FLAL seems to have a negligible influence on young children's diet and physical activity in the study region. Barriers are children's deeply rooted dietary habits, excessive screen-time, the parents' lacking problem awareness, limited time for parenting practices and bad role modeling. Environmental barriers are overloaded schools due to insufficient coordination between governmental entities, lacking funds for sound teacher training and unsafe neighborhoods limiting children's play. CONCLUSIONS Policy interventions aimed at reducing childhood obesity need to include and empower schools, families and local communities as active partners and consider their framework conditions for greater influence on dietary habits and physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Pfister
- grid.424060.40000 0001 0688 6779School of Health Professions, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Murtenstrasse 10, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Pozas
- grid.424060.40000 0001 0688 6779School of Health Professions, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Murtenstrasse 10, 3008 Bern, Switzerland
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22
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Caballero S, Moënne-Loccoz C, Delgado M, Luarte L, Jimenez Y, Galgani JE, Perez-Leighton CE. Eating contexts determine the efficacy of nutrient warning labels to promote healthy food choices. Front Nutr 2023; 9:1026623. [PMID: 36687700 PMCID: PMC9852898 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1026623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Unhealthy food choices increase the risk of obesity and its co-morbidities. Nutrition labels are a public health policy that aims to drive individuals toward healthier food choices. Chile has been an example of this policy, where mandatory nutrient warning labels (NWL) identify processed foods high in calories and critical nutrients. Eating contexts influence individual food choices, but whether eating contexts also influence how NWL alter the decision process and selection during food choice is unknown. Methods In an online mouse-tracking study, participants prompted to health, typical, or unrestricted eating contexts were instructed to choose between pairs of foods in the presence or absence of NWL. Conflict during choices was analyzed using mouse paths and reaction times. Results NWL increased conflict during unhealthy food choices and reduced conflict during healthy choices in all contexts. However, the probability that NWL reversed an unhealthy choice was 80% in a healthy, 37% in a typical, and 19% in an unrestricted context. A drift-diffusion model analysis showed the effects of NWL on choice were associated with an increased bias toward healthier foods in the healthy and typical but not in the unrestricted context. Discussion These data suggest that the efficacy of NWL to drive healthy food choices increases in a healthy eating context, whereas NWL are less effective in typical or unrestricted eating contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Caballero
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile,Programa de Magister en Nutrición, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristóbal Moënne-Loccoz
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mauricio Delgado
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis Luarte
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile,Programa Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Yanireth Jimenez
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - José E. Galgani
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile,Departamento de Nutrición, Diabetes y Metabolismo, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Claudio E. Perez-Leighton
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile,Programa Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile,*Correspondence: Claudio E. Perez-Leighton,
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Acton RB, Rynard VL, Adams J, Bhawra J, Cameron AJ, Contreras-Manzano A, Davis RE, Jáuregui A, Sacks G, Thrasher JF, Vanderlee L, White CM, Hammond D. Awareness, use and understanding of nutrition labels among adults from five countries: Findings from the 2018-2020 International Food Policy Study. Appetite 2023; 180:106311. [PMID: 36122623 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Few studies have compared the effects of different front-of-package label (FOPL) systems in the 'real world'. This study assessed adults' awareness, use and understanding of nutrition facts labels (NFLs) and nationally implemented FOPLs such as Health Star Ratings (HSR), Traffic lights, and Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) in five countries, including before and after implementation of Mexico's warning FOPLs in 2020. Data were from the International Food Policy Study, an annual repeat cross-sectional study conducted in 2018-2020 among adults (N=64,032) in Australia, Canada, Mexico, the UK and the US. Self-reported awareness, use, and understanding of NFLs (in all five countries) and FOPLs (in Australia, Mexico, and UK) were assessed over time, between countries, and between NFLs and FOPLs. Most respondents in all countries reported seeing their country's NFLs (awareness) 'often' or 'all the time' across all three years, with one third to half of respondents using NFLs 'often' or 'all the time' (Australia: 43-45%; Canada: 47-50%; Mexico: 36-39%; UK: 32-34%; US: 47-49%), and approximately one half to two thirds finding NFLs 'easy' or 'very easy to understand' (56-57%; 67-69%; 51-54%; 48-51%; 70-71%). In 2020, awareness, use and self-reported understanding of the Warning FOPLs in Mexico were highest among all countries with a FOPL (p<0.001), whereas awareness and use were lowest for Australia's HSR (p<0.001). In countries with FOPLs, self-reported understanding was higher for FOPLs than NFLs, except for the GDA FOPL in Mexico. Only modest changes were observed over time. Warning FOPLs were associated with greater levels of self-reported awareness, use and understanding among adults compared to NFLs and GDA-based FOPLs. FOPLs implemented on a voluntary basis, such as Australia's HSR, may be less likely to be seen and used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel B Acton
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Vicki L Rynard
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Jean Adams
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Jasmin Bhawra
- School of Occupational and Public Health, Faculty of Community Services, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Adrian J Cameron
- Global Obesity Centre, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
| | - Alejandra Contreras-Manzano
- Center for Health and Nutrition Research, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Av. Universidad 655, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Zip code, 62100, Mexico.
| | - Rachel E Davis
- Department of Health Promotion, Education & Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
| | - Alejandra Jáuregui
- Center for Health and Nutrition Research, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Av. Universidad 655, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Zip code, 62100, Mexico.
| | - Gary Sacks
- Global Obesity Centre, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
| | - James F Thrasher
- Department of Health Promotion, Education & Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
| | - Lana Vanderlee
- École de Nutrition, Centre de Nutrition, santé et société (NUTRISS), Université LavalQuébec, Québec, G1V 0A6, Canada.
| | - Christine M White
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - David Hammond
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
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24
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Wierzejska RE. The Impact of the Sweetened Beverages Tax on Their Reformulation in Poland-The Analysis of the Composition of Commercially Available Beverages before and after the Introduction of the Tax (2020 vs. 2021). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14464. [PMID: 36361345 PMCID: PMC9658175 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to estimate changes in the composition of carbonated and non-carbonated sugar-sweetened beverages before and after the introduction of the beverage tax in Poland. Based on the labels of 198 drinks, the composition and nutritional values of the drinks were compared. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney test was applied to compare the differences in the sugar and juice content as well as energy value. After the introduction of the tax, the median sugar content in the carbonated beverages decreased from 8.6 g to 6.9 g/100 mL (p = 0.004), while in the non-carbonated beverages, it decreased from 5.5 g to 4.8 g/100 mL (p < 0.001). In the entire beverage group, there was a significant drop in the proportion of beverages that contained >5 g of sugars/100 mL (44.4% in 2021 vs. 70.2% in 2020). The median juice content in the carbonated beverages increased from 1.0% to 3.3% (p = 0.121), but totalled 20.0% for both periods in the non-carbonated beverages. The percentage of beverages with a tax-exempt composition (juice content ≥ 20% and sugar content ≤ 5 g/100 mL) almost tripled. After the introduction of the tax, beneficial changes in the compositions of 62% of the analysed beverages were observed in terms of their sugar and/or juice content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Ewa Wierzejska
- Department of Nutrition and Nutritional Value of Food, National Institute of Public Health NIH-National Research Institute, Chocimska St. 24, 00-791 Warsaw, Poland
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25
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"No Child or Adult Would Ever Probably Choose to Have 16 Teaspoons of Sugar": A Preliminary Study of Parents' Responses to Sugary Drink Warning Label Options. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14194173. [PMID: 36235825 PMCID: PMC9571345 DOI: 10.3390/nu14194173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Front-of-pack (FoP) warning labels are a viable policy option with the potential to inform consumer choice and assist in reducing sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption as part of a multi-faceted approach. This study explored parents' perceptions and understanding of a range of SSB warning labels. Focus groups (n = 12) with 82 parents of school-aged children were conducted, stratified according to education level, sex and location. Health effects, exercise equivalents, sugar content (teaspoons in text and pictograms, "high in") and energy content labels were shown. Through thematic analysis we identified three themes. Theme 1 related to perceptions of effectiveness of labels, underpinned by four subthemes: perceptions of labels as credible, informative and useful, personally relevant and having the potential to change be haviour. Theme 2 related to participants finding opportunities for self-exemption (e.g., physically active) and message rejection (e.g., misinterpretation). Theme 3 encompassed the potential negative consequences of some labels (e.g., body image concerns). The text teaspoons label was perceived most favourably across all themes, with minimal negative issues raised. These results provide in-depth insight into potential responses to labelling as a policy intervention, providing important guidance for the development of labels to ensure optimal message content and framing for future testing and subsequent implementation.
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Prates SMS, Reis IA, Rojas CFU, Spinillo CG, Anastácio LR. Influence of nutrition claims on different models of front-of-package nutritional labeling in supposedly healthy foods: Impact on the understanding of nutritional information, healthfulness perception, and purchase intention of Brazilian consumers. Front Nutr 2022; 9:921065. [PMID: 36211521 PMCID: PMC9539030 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.921065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nutrition claims are positive information about foods, which are widely used as a marketing strategy on labels. On the contrary, front-of-package nutritional labeling (FoPNL) aims to make it easier for consumers to understand the nutritional composition of foods and favor healthy food choices. However, the concomitant presence of nutrition claims and FoPNL may hinder the understanding, judgment, and choices of consumers at the moment of purchase. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of nutrition claims on the efficacy of FoPNL models in the understanding of nutritional information, healthfulness perception, and purchase intention of Brazilian consumers. It was an experimental cross-sectional study carried out using an online questionnaire, with a total of 720 participants randomly divided into four FoPNL conditions: control, octagon, triangle, and magnifying glass. Each participant looked at 12 food packages, which were produced following the factorial design: (i) food category (cereal bar, whole grain cookies, and snacks); (ii) product type (containing one critical nutrient × containing two critical nutrients); and (iii) nutrition claims (present × absent). The comprehension of nutritional information was evaluated through the identification of excessive nutrients, and the healthfulness perception and purchase intention were evaluated using a seven-point scale. The results indicated that the presence of FoPNL increased the understanding of the information and reduced healthfulness perception and purchase intention. The presence of nutrition claims influenced the three outcomes, decreasing the probability of understanding information about food composition by 32% (OR 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.58–0.78, p < 0.01) and significantly increasing (p < 0.05) average health scores (1.95–2.02) and purchase intention (2.00–2.05). Nonetheless, the interaction “FoPNL × claims” was not significant, which indicated that claims act independently. All FoPNL models were more effective than the control. For the least healthful type of product (two nutrients in excess), the octagon and triangle models were superior to the magnifying glass, regarding the outcome of healthfulness perception. The results prove the efficacy of FoPNL in consumer understanding and judgment. Despite the positive effects of FoPNL, it did not cancel the positivity bias generated by the claims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Morais Senna Prates
- Food Science Post-Graduation Program, Department of Food Science, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ilka Afonso Reis
- Department of Statistics, Institute of Exact Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Carlos Felipe Urquizar Rojas
- Laboratory of Information System Design, Design Post-Graduation Program, Department of Design, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Carla Galvão Spinillo
- Laboratory of Information System Design, Design Post-Graduation Program, Department of Design, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Lucilene Rezende Anastácio
- Food Science Post-Graduation Program, Department of Food Science, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Lucilene Rezende Anastácio,
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Bopape M, De Man J, Taillie LS, Ng SW, Murukutla N, Swart R. Effect of different front-of-package food labels on healthfulness perception of ultraprocessed food and intention to purchase the products- A randomised controlled trial. Appetite 2022; 179:106283. [PMID: 36027994 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different labels on participants: identifying products high in nutrients of concern; identifying unhealthy products, and intention to purchase unhealthy products. This blinded randomised controlled trial included a representative sample of South African households (n = 1951). Per household we selected a member primarily responsible for food purchases. Participants were randomised into the Warning Label (WL), Guideline Dietary Amounts (GDA) or Multiple Traffic Light (MTL) arms. Each participant answered questions in a no label condition (control) followed by same questions in the label condition (experiment). Complete data were collected and analysed for 1948 participants (WL = 33.7%, GDA = 32.1% and MTL = 34.2%). The probability of correctly identifying products high in nutrients of concern and identifying products as being unhealthy was higher with the WL compared to the GDA or MTL for most items. There was no difference in performance between the GDA and the MTL when considering all items together. A higher percentage of participants reported a lower intention to purchase an unhealthy product after exposure to the WL compared to MTL for 5 out of 6 products; 2 out of 6 products for the WL compared to GDA and 2 out of 6 products for GDA compared to MTL. Compared to the control condition, exposure to each of the labels resulted in better identification of nutrients of concerns, unhealthy products and a lower intention to purchase when considering all specific outcome items together. The WL showed a higher potential to enable South African consumers to identify products high in nutrients of concern, identify unhealthy products and discourage purchasing of unhealthy products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoma Bopape
- Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Limpopo, South Africa; Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, South Africa.
| | - Jeroen De Man
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Lindsey Smith Taillie
- Carolina Population Center and Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.
| | - Shu Wen Ng
- Carolina Population Center and Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.
| | | | - Rina Swart
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, South Africa.
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Campos-Nonato I, Cervantes-Armenta MA, Pacheco-Miranda S, Quezada-Sánchez AD, Contreras-Manzano A, Barquera S, Vargas-Meza J. Perception and Understanding of Guideline Daily Amount and Warning Labeling among Mexican Adults during the Law Modification Period. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14163403. [PMID: 36014909 PMCID: PMC9415154 DOI: 10.3390/nu14163403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Front-of-pack labeling (FOPL) is a tool that enables consumers to compare foods and select healthier options. Due to low understanding of the Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) labeling among Mexicans, a law was implemented in October 2020 that modified the FOPL to a warning labeling (WL) system. The purpose of this study was to compare the perception and understanding of GDA and WL during the law modification period. We conducted a panel design with two measurements: (1) using GDA label (September 2020) and (2) using WL (October–November). We estimated differences in GDA vs. WL through multinomial logistic regression models and changes were measured through predictive margin contrasts and Wald tests. When comparing the same products with different labels, the participants reported that it would be unlikely/very unlikely that they would consume products packaged with the WL (81.5%; 95%CI: 79.2, 83.8) compared to those with GDA (24.2%; 95%CI: 21.7, 26.7). Consumers’ perception was that the quantities of packaged products they should consume was small or very small when they used the WL (93.8%; 95%CI: 92.4, 95.5) compared to GDA (41.6%; 95%CI: 39.7, 44.6). When comparing food groups, participants were more confident about choosing healthy products when using the WL compared to the GDA. During the implementation of WL in Mexico, the studied population had a better perception and understanding of less healthy packaged foods when using WL, compared to the GDA label.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismael Campos-Nonato
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad 655 Col. Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca C.P. 62100, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Manuel A. Cervantes-Armenta
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad 655 Col. Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca C.P. 62100, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Selene Pacheco-Miranda
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad 655 Col. Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca C.P. 62100, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Amado D. Quezada-Sánchez
- Center for Research in Evaluation and Surveys, National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad 655 Col. Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca C.P. 62100, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Contreras-Manzano
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad 655 Col. Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca C.P. 62100, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Simón Barquera
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad 655 Col. Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca C.P. 62100, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Jorge Vargas-Meza
- Center for Nutrition and Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad 655 Col. Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cuernavaca C.P. 62100, Morelos, Mexico
- Correspondence:
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Bopape M, Taillie LS, Swart R. Perceived effect of warning label on parental food purchasing and drivers of food selection among South African parents–An exploratory study. Front Public Health 2022; 10:939937. [PMID: 35991029 PMCID: PMC9388905 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.939937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Household food purchasing decision is a complex process influenced by factors such as marketing, cost, children food preference and parental choices. Most food products targeted toward children are unhealthy and are aggressively marketed to increase desirability among parents and children making healthier food selection even harder. The warning label (WL) is identified as a simple front-of-package labeling format that assist consumers to easily identify unhealthy foods and reduce their purchasing. This was a qualitative study that aimed to investigate the perceived effect of the warning label (WL) on parental food purchasing and drivers of food selection among parents. The study was conducted in a mainly rural part of South Africa, in Limpopo Province. Data were collected from 44 adult participants, all parents with children aged below 16 years selected using the snowball sampling method. Seven focus groups diversified according to age, literacy, income and urbanicity were utilized for data collection. Using a focus group discussion guide, parents were shown images of six products (crisps, soda, juice, biscuits, cereals, and yogurt) superimposed with the WL and questions asked were based on those images. Thematic analysis revealed that although some parents felt undeterred by the WL, some felt they would alter their food purchasing in the presence of the WL. Other parents felt they would reduce the frequency or the amount purchased or completely stop purchasing labeled products for their children. Motives behind perceived behavior modification included children's health being perceived as a priority and labeled products being viewed as unhealthy. Factors such as pressure from children, taste, poor nutrition knowledge and affordability seemed to influence parental food selection. These findings have important policy implications by providing evidence to policymakers that the WL may alter parental food purchasing and also provide insight into drivers of food selection among South African parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoma Bopape
- Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa
- Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Makoma Bopape
| | - Lindsey Smith Taillie
- Carolina Population Center and Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Rina Swart
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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Vidal L, Iragola V, Machín L, Brunet G, Girona A, Curutchet MR, de León C, Ares G. A Qualitative Exploration of Parents' Food Choices During Early Childhood. JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR 2022; 54:764-775. [PMID: 35643750 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2022.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore parents' accounts of the goals they seek when choosing foods for their young children through the lens of goal-systems theory. DESIGN In-depth interviews with parents of children aged from 6 months to 5 years. SETTING Montevideo, Uruguay. PARTICIPANTS Forty-two parents (aged 19-44 years, 90% female). PHENOMENON OF INTEREST Parents' personal experiences, feelings, and opinions related to how they choose foods for their children. ANALYSIS Content analysis based on deductive-inductive coding. RESULTS Parents' accounts confirmed they intended to pursue different goals when choosing foods for their children. Health-related goals mainly motivated the selection of healthy foods, but they also drove the selection of some ultra-processed products because of misconceptions about their healthiness. Pleasure and enjoyment motivated the selection of ultra-processed products, whereas stress avoidance was associated with selecting convenient foods. The selection of unhealthy foods raised conflicts between goals, which were solved using goal shielding, changes in risk perception and/or compensatory health beliefs. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Results point to the need for communication campaigns and community-based interventions to introduce changes in how ultra-processed products are conceptualized and increase the associations between healthy foods and children's pleasure and enjoyment to promote healthier eating patterns during infancy and early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Vidal
- Sensometrics and Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Canelones, Uruguay.
| | - Valentina Iragola
- Espacio Interdisciplinario, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Leandro Machín
- Centro de Investigación Básica en Psicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gerónimo Brunet
- Espacio Interdisciplinario, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alejandra Girona
- Departamento de Nutrición Básica, Escuela de Nutrición, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Rosa Curutchet
- Instituto Nacional de Alimentación, Ministerio de Desarrollo Social, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Carolina de León
- Núcleo Interdisciplinario "Alimentación y Bienestar", Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gastón Ares
- Sensometrics and Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Canelones, Uruguay
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Singh SK, Taillie LS, Gupta A, Bercholz M, Popkin B, Murukutla N. Front-of-Package Labels on Unhealthy Packaged Foods in India: Evidence from a Randomized Field Experiment. Nutrients 2022; 14:3128. [PMID: 35956305 PMCID: PMC9370292 DOI: 10.3390/nu14153128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Policies to require front-of-package labels (FOPLs) on packaged foods may help Indian consumers to better identify foods high in nutrients of concern, including sugar, saturated fat, and sodium, and discourage their consumption, which are outcomes that are critical for preventing rises in diet-related non-communicable disease. The objective was to test whether FOPLs helped Indian consumers identify “high-in” packaged foods and reduce intentions to purchase them. We conducted an in-person randomized experiment (n = 2869 adults between ages 18 and 60 years old) in six states of India in 2022. Participants were randomized to one of five FOPLs: a control label (barcode), warning label (octagon with “High in [nutrient]”), Health Star Rating (HSR), Guideline Daily Amount (GDA), or traffic light label. Participants then viewed a series of packaged foods high in sugar, saturated fat, or sodium with the assigned FOPL, and rated product perceptions and label reactions. Fewer than half of participants in the control group (39.1%) correctly identified all products high in nutrient(s) of concern. All FOPLs led to an increase in this outcome, with the biggest differences observed for the warning label (60.8%, p < 0.001), followed by the traffic light label (54.8%, p < 0.001), GDA (55.0%, p < 0.001), and HSR (45.0%, p < 0.01). While no FOPLs led to a reduction in intentions to purchase the packaged foods, the overall pattern of results suggested that warning labels are the most effective FOPL to help Indian consumers identify unhealthy foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. K. Singh
- Department of Survey Research and Data Analytics, International Institute for Population Sciences, Deemed University, Mumbai 400088, India
| | - Lindsey Smith Taillie
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA;
| | - Ashish Gupta
- Vital Strategies, New York, NY 27599, USA; (A.G.); (N.M.)
| | - Maxime Bercholz
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA;
| | - Barry Popkin
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA;
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Contreras-Manzano A, Jáuregui A, Vargas-Meza J, Nieto C, Granich-Armenta A, de Lourdes Alemán Escobar M, G-Olvera A, Cruz-Casarrubias C, Munguía A, Barquera S. Objective understanding of front of pack warning labels among Mexican children of public elementary schools. A randomized experiment. Nutr J 2022; 21:47. [PMID: 35864545 PMCID: PMC9306177 DOI: 10.1186/s12937-022-00791-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Warning Labels (WL) highlight excessive amounts of critical nutrients in order to discourage consumption of unhealthful packaged food products. This study aimed to evaluate among Mexican school children, the objective understanding of traditional and numeric WL (aimed at small products) considered by the Mexican regulation, and whether cartoon characters influenced the understanding of WL. We also tested some communication strategies to facilitate the correct use of the WL. Methods We carried out a randomized experiment in July 2019 in public elementary schools from Morelos, Mexico. Participants aged 6–13 years, were randomly assigned to one of four groups: 1) Nutrient Facts Panel (NF) (n = 120), 2) Nutrient Facts Panel with cartoon characters (NF + C) (n = 83), considered the control groups, 3) Warning Labels (WL) (n = 109), and 4) Warning Labels with cartoon characters (WL + C) (n = 96). After allocation, children assigned to both WL groups (WL or WL + C), were randomly required to watch two posters simultaneously or a video explaining how to correctly interpret WLs. Logistic regression models adjusted by sex, age and cluster (school) were fitted. Results The percentage of children correctly choosing the healthiest or the unhealthiest option was higher for WL groups (56.8, 95%CI; 40.8–72.8) compared to NF groups (24.3, 95%CI; 20.4–28.3, p < 0.05). The understanding of traditional WL was higher (28.7, 95%CI: 22.8–35.4) than the numeric WL (19, 95%CI: 14.2–25.0, p < 0.05). But, correct answers for identifying healthy and unhealthy products were higher for numeric WL than for NF groups. Cartoon characters reduced the percentage of correct answers for choosing unhealthiest products (WL + C: 48.9, 95%CI: 25.6–72.4 vs WL: 58.7, 95%CI: 36.4–81.1, p < 0.05). The video was 2.23 times more helpful than the posters to the correct interpretation of the WL (p < 0.05). Conclusions In scholar Mexican children, traditional and numeric WL were useful to identify healthier and unhealthier packaged products in comparison to NF, suggesting that both WL formats may effectively communicate the excessive content of nutrients of concern among children. Cartoon characters may reduce the objective understanding of the WL, underscoring the need to regulate advertising directed to children along with the implementation of front-of-pack labeling. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12937-022-00791-z.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alejandra Jáuregui
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, 62100, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
| | - Jorge Vargas-Meza
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, 62100, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Claudia Nieto
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, 62100, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Adriana Granich-Armenta
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, 62100, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | | | - Armando G-Olvera
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, 62100, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Carlos Cruz-Casarrubias
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, 62100, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Ana Munguía
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, 62100, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Simón Barquera
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, 62100, Cuernavaca, Mexico
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Miller C, Wright K, Dono J, Pettigrew S, Wakefield M, Coveney J, Wittert G, Roder D, Durkin S, Martin J, Ettridge K. "You can't just eat 16 teaspoons of sugar so why would you drink 16 teaspoons' worth of sugar?": a qualitative study of young adults' reactions to sugary drink warning labels. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1241. [PMID: 35733102 PMCID: PMC9219237 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13648-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Several jurisdictions have introduced nutrient warning front of pack (FoP) labels in an effort to curb consumption of ultra-processed foods and beverages high in free sugars (sugars added to foods and beverages, and sugars naturally present in honey, syrups, fruit juices and fruit juice concentrates). This study aimed to explore consumer understanding and perceptions of FoP warning labels that convey different nutritional and health information messages regarding the consumption of sugary drinks. Methods Sixteen focus groups were held with 4–8 young adults per group (aged 18–24; n = 105 participants in total) stratified by education level, location (rural centres, large cities) and gender (males, females) to ensure diversity. Labels shown to participants during group discussions included text warning labels of health effects, exercise equivalents, calorie/kilojoule information and sugar content as a “high in” label and as teaspoons (text and pictograms). Thematic analysis was undertaken. Results Four themes were identified related to participants’ perceived effectiveness of labels: the extent to which labels were perceived to be useful, relevant and credible; the extent to which a label elicited shock or disgust (perceived aversiveness); the extent to which the label message was resistant to self-exemption; and participants’ perceived potential of the label to reduce purchasing and consumption behaviour. Across all four themes, labels communicating the number of teaspoons of sugar in a sugary drink (whether by text or pictogram) were perceived as the most impactful, resistant to self-exemption and to have the greatest potential to reduce consumption, with enhanced reactions to the pictogram label. Labels depicting health effects, exercise equivalents, calorie/kilojoule information or a general ‘high in sugar’ warning were perceived by consumers to be less effective in one or more themes. Conclusions Labels conveying the amount of sugar in a beverage in teaspoons were perceived as highly factual, relatable and interpretable, and as having the greatest potential to impact consumption attitudes and intentions. Further quantitative studies are required to compare the potential effectiveness of the teaspoons of sugar labels in reducing purchasing and consumption behaviour than other alternative warning labels, such as health effects or “high in” sugar labels. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13648-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Miller
- The University of Adelaide's School of Public Health, Adelaide, Australia. .,Health Policy Centre, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.
| | - K Wright
- Health Policy Centre, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.,The University of Adelaide's School of Psychology, Adelaide, Australia
| | - J Dono
- Health Policy Centre, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.,The University of Adelaide's School of Psychology, Adelaide, Australia
| | - S Pettigrew
- Food Policy, The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - M Wakefield
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - J Coveney
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - G Wittert
- Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men's Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.,Centre for Nutrition and GI Diseases, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - D Roder
- Cancer Epidemiology and Population Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - S Durkin
- Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.,School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - J Martin
- Obesity Policy Coalition and Alcohol and Obesity Policy, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
| | - K Ettridge
- Health Policy Centre, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia.,The University of Adelaide's School of Psychology, Adelaide, Australia
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Molina M, Anderson LN, Guindon GE, Tarride J. A review of implementation and evaluation of Pan American Health Organization's policies to prevent childhood obesity in Latin America. Obes Sci Pract 2022; 8:352-362. [PMID: 35664241 PMCID: PMC9159564 DOI: 10.1002/osp4.572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale To inform future policies, the study objectives were to determine to what extent the policies included in the 5-year Plan of Action for the Prevention of Obesity in Children and Adolescents-proposed by Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and signed by 19 Latin America countries in 2014-have been implemented and evaluated. Methods A scoping review of the Governmental websites for Latin American countries and a literature review was conducted to identify whether policies have been implemented and evaluated. Key information was abstracted. Results The review identified 115 PAHO policies/interventions implemented (43% implemented after signing the proposed plan in 2014). Nearly all (18/19) countries implemented food guidelines or school feeding programs, but fiscal and marketing policies were less commonly implemented (6/19). Through the review, 44 evaluations of PAHO policies were identified of which 23% were qualitative and 77% quantitative. The results of these evaluations were in general positive (e.g., decrease in sugar-sweetened beverages consumption following tax implementation) but no studies evaluated the outcome of reduced obesity. Conclusions PAHO recommended policies have been implemented to various degrees in Latin America since 2014 and more research is required to understand their impacts on child and adolescent obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Molina
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and ImpactMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
| | - Laura N. Anderson
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and ImpactMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
- Centre for Health Economics and Policy AnalysisMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
- The Hospital for Sick Children Research InstituteChild Health Evaluative SciencesTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Godefroy E. Guindon
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and ImpactMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
- Centre for Health Economics and Policy AnalysisMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
- Department of EconomicsMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
| | - Jean‐Eric Tarride
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and ImpactMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
- Centre for Health Economics and Policy AnalysisMcMaster UniversityHamiltonOntarioCanada
- The Research Institute of St. Joe's HamiltonSt. Joseph's Healthcare HamiltonHamiltonOntarioCanada
- McMaster Chair in Health Technology Management HamiltonHamiltonOntarioCanada
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Correa T, Fierro C, Reyes M, Taillie LS, Carpentier FRD, Corvalán C. Why Don't You [Government] Help Us Make Healthier Foods More Affordable Instead of Bombarding Us with Labels? Maternal Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practices after Full Implementation of the Chilean Food Labelling Law. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:4547. [PMID: 35457415 PMCID: PMC9025178 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Experimental and real-life evaluations show that the use of front-of-package warning labels (FoP) in unhealthy foods is well understood and can modify people's behaviors. However, it is unclear whether these effects remain in the long term because of the risk of message fatigue. The purpose of this study is to explore after four years of implementation of the Chilean Food Labelling law people's dietary behavior and FoP labels attention. Nine focus groups of mothers (7-10 people each) of children (2-14 yo) were conducted in Santiago, Chile, and macrocodes were developed, combining an iterative process of deductive and inductive thematic analyses. We found that mothers experienced labels' fatigue but also had greater knowledge about nutrition and appreciation for more natural foods. This greater knowledge about better nutrition interferes with the perception that healthier and less processed foods are financial and physically inaccessible. The key role of schools as an environment for promoting healthier diets in children was strengthened by the mothers. These results suggest that policies based on providing consumer information need reinforcement campaigns to maintain their effectiveness and that we also need to advance policies to improve access and affordability of healthy foods to ensure better diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Correa
- School of Communication, Diego Portales University, Vergara, Santiago 240, Chile; (T.C.); (C.F.)
| | - Camila Fierro
- School of Communication, Diego Portales University, Vergara, Santiago 240, Chile; (T.C.); (C.F.)
| | - Marcela Reyes
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, El Líbano 5524, Chile;
| | - Lindsey Smith Taillie
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7461, USA;
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA
| | | | - Camila Corvalán
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, El Líbano 5524, Chile;
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Contreras-Manzano A, Cruz-Casarrubias C, Munguía A, Jáuregui A, Vargas-Meza J, Nieto C, Tolentino-Mayo L, Barquera S. Evaluation of the Mexican warning label nutrient profile on food products marketed in Mexico in 2016 and 2017: A cross-sectional analysis. PLoS Med 2022; 19:e1003968. [PMID: 35442949 PMCID: PMC9067899 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Different nutrient profiles (NPs) have been developed in Latin America to assess the nutritional quality of packaged food products. Recently, the Mexican NP was developed as part of the new warning label regulation implemented in 2020, considering 5 warning octagons (calories, sugar, sodium, saturated fats, and trans fats) and 2 warning rectangles (caffeine and non-nutritive sweeteners). The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the Mexican NP and other NPs proposed or used in Latin America against the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) model. METHODS AND FINDINGS Nutrition content data of 38,872 packaged food products available in the Mexican market were collected in 2016 and 2017. The evaluation of the Mexican NP, including its 3 implementation phases of increasing stringency (2020, 2023, and 2025), was conducted by comparing the percentage of products classified as "healthy" (without warnings) or "less healthy" (with 1 or more warnings), as well as the number and type of warnings assigned to food products, against the PAHO NP. Using the calibration method, we compared the classifications produced by the PAHO model against those produced by the NP models of Ecuador, Chile (3 phases), Peru (2 phases), Uruguay, and Brazil. Kappa coefficients and Pearson correlations were estimated, and proportion tests were performed. We found that the 3 implementation phases of the Mexican NP had near to perfect agreement in the classification of healthy foods (Mexico NP models: 19.1% to 23.8%; PAHO model: 19.7%) and a strong correlation (>91.9%) with the PAHO model. Other NPs with high agreement with the PAHO model were the Ecuador (89.8%), Uruguay (82.5%), Chile Phase 3 (82.3%), and Peru Phase 2 (84.2%) NPs. In contrast, the Peru Phase 1, Brazil, and Chile Phase 1 NP models had the highest percentage of foods classified as healthy (49.2%, 47.1%, and 46.5%, respectively) and the lowest agreement with the PAHO model (69.9%, 69.3%, and 73%, respectively). Study limitations include that warnings considered by the Mexican NP models were evaluated as if all the warnings were octagon seals, while 2 out of the 7 were rectangular warnings (caffeine and non-nutritive sweeteners), and that our data are limited by the quality of the information reported in the list of ingredients and the nutrition facts table of the products. CONCLUSIONS The 3 implementation phases of the Mexican NP were useful to identify healthy food products. In contrast, the Peru Phase 1, Brazil, and Chile Phase 1 NP models may have limited usefulness for the classification of foods according to the content of ingredients of concern. The results of this study may inform countries seeking to adapt and evaluate existing NP models for use in population-specific applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Contreras-Manzano
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Carlos Cruz-Casarrubias
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Ana Munguía
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Alejandra Jáuregui
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Jorge Vargas-Meza
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Claudia Nieto
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Lizbeth Tolentino-Mayo
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Simón Barquera
- Center for Research on Nutrition and Health, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
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Driessen C, Kelly B, Sing F, Backholer K. Parents' Perceptions of Children's Exposure to Unhealthy Food Marketing: a Narrative Review of the Literature. Curr Nutr Rep 2022; 11:9-18. [PMID: 35278205 PMCID: PMC8942884 DOI: 10.1007/s13668-021-00390-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review A key driver of unhealthy diets in children is the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages. Attempts to regulate children’s exposure to unhealthy food marketing through government-led policies are challenged by commercial interests. Parents shoulder the responsibility of counteracting the effects of omnipresent unhealthy food marketing that children are exposed to within the food environment. In this narrative review we aimed to synthesise the evidence over the last 10 years on parents' perceptions of children’s exposure to unhealthy food marketing and parents support for policies to restrict this marketing. Recent Findings The evidence indicates that unhealthy food marketing leads parents to feel undermined in their ability to provide healthy foods to their children. Despite this concern, parents tend to underestimate the levels of exposure to, and impacts of, unhealthy food marketing to their children, especially in the digital ecosystem. Summary The voices and support of parents represent a significant opportunity to accelerate policy action on food marketing. Increasing awareness among parents and caregivers to the high levels and harmful impacts of children’s exposure to unhealthy food marketing, focusing on their right not to be undermined by such action, may drive support for policy change. Further research is needed to understand parents’ attitudes and perceptions related to their children’s exposure to contemporary unhealthy food marketing, specifically in digital environments, and the perspectives of fathers and parents from low and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Driessen
- Deakin University, Institute for Health Transformation, Global Obesity Centre, Geelong, Australia.
| | - Bridget Kelly
- Early Start, School of Health & Society, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Fiona Sing
- School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kathryn Backholer
- Deakin University, Institute for Health Transformation, Global Obesity Centre, Geelong, Australia
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Responsible Marketing in the Traffic Light Labeling of Food Products in Ecuador: Perceptions of Cuenca Consumers. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14063247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Responsible marketing (RM) helps companies make products that improve people’s lives and is in line with public policies that provide a positive impact on society; an example of this is traffic light nutritional labelling (TLNL). Ecuador was a pioneer in Latin America in the mandatory implementation of TLNL. For this reason, this research aimed to analyze RM in the TLNL of food products from the perception of consumers in the urban area of Cuenca, Ecuador. Specifically, the research aimed to answer: What is the degree of consumer understanding of TLNL in the urban area of Cuenca, Ecuador? A cross-sectional investigation was undertaken, with 384 surveys conducted. A chi-square test (χ2) was performed, which showed the relationship between variables reflecting RM knowledge and the understanding and use of TLNL. An ordinal logit model (OLM) was applied, showing that the variables of education, knowledge of labeling, and knowledge of marketing were associated with a greater probability of having some level of understanding of TLNL. Finally, a binomial logit model (BLM) revealed that the variables of income level, knowledge of TLNL, illnesses, confidence in TLNL, the influence of COVID-19 on eating habits, and knowledge of marketing were associated with people being more likely to use TLNL. RM is present in the TLNL through the clear and understandable dissemination of information.
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Riquelme N, Robert P, Arancibia C. Understanding older people perceptions about desserts using word association and sorting task methodologies. Food Qual Prefer 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2021.104423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Frank T, Ng SW, Miles DR, Swart EC. Applying and comparing various nutrient profiling models against the packaged food supply in South Africa. Public Health Nutr 2022; 25:1-31. [PMID: 35168688 PMCID: PMC9378746 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980022000374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to apply the newly developed Chile Adjusted Model (CAM) nutrient profiling model (NPM) to the food supply in South Africa (SA) and compare its performance against existing NPMs as an indication of suitability for use to underpin food policies targeted at discouraging consumption of products high in nutrients associated with poor health. DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis of the SA packaged food supply comparing the CAM to three other NPMs: SA health and nutrition claims (SA HNC), Chilean warning octagon (CWO) 2019, and Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) NPM. SETTING The SA packaged food supply based on products stocked by supermarkets in Cape Town, SA. PARTICIPANTS Packaged foods and beverages (N=6474) available in 2018 were analyzed. RESULTS 49% of products contained excessive amounts of nutrients of concern (considered non-compliant) according to the criteria of all four models. Only 10.9% of products were not excessive in any nutrients of concern (considered compliant) according to all NPMs evaluated. The CAM had an overall non-compliance level of 73.2%, and was comparable to the CWO 2019 for foods (71.2% and 71.1% respectively). The CAM was the strictest NPM for beverages (80.4%) due to the criteria of non-sugar sweeteners and free sugars. The SA HNC was the most lenient with non-compliance at 52.9%. This was largely due to the inclusion of nutrients to encourage, which is a criterion for this NPM. CONCLUSION For the purpose of discouraging products high in nutrients associated with poor health in SA, the CAM is a suitable NPM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamryn Frank
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa;
| | - Shu Wen Ng
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health and the Carolina Population Center, The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, United States of America;
| | - Donna R Miles
- Carolina Population Center, The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, United States of America;
| | - Elizabeth C Swart
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of the Western Cape, South Africa,
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Saavedra-Garcia L, Moscoso-Porras M, Diez-Canseco F. An Experimental Study Evaluating the Influence of Front-of-Package Warning Labels on Adolescent’s Purchase Intention of Processed Food Products. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031094. [PMID: 35162126 PMCID: PMC8833989 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Front-of-package warning labels (WLs) are among the public health policies adopted by some countries, mainly in Latin-America, to tackle childhood obesity; however, their impact is still under review. The aim of this study was to assess, using an experimental design, whether WLs influence purchase intention of processed foods and identification of the healthiest products among adolescents in Peru, in May 2019, just before WLs mandatory implementation. Four hundred forty-nine adolescents from two public schools were randomly assigned to an experimental group (received three different processed products with either zero, one or two WLs, informing if they were high in sugar, sodium and/or saturated fats) or a control group (received the same products but unlabeled). Participants chose which product they would buy, and which they considered to be the healthiest. No differences between groups were found neither in purchase intention (p = 0.386) nor in the identification of the healthiest product (p = 0.322). In both groups, the most-selected product was always the healthiest of the triad (>40% in purchase intention and >80% in identification of the healthiest). Front-of-package WLs did not influence purchase intention, or identification of healthier products among adolescents from public schools in Peru. Mass media and educational campaigns should accompany the WLs implementation to help achieve the policy objective.
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Front-of-Pack Labeling in Chile: Effects on Employment, Real Wages, and Firms' Profits after Three Years of Its Implementation. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14020295. [PMID: 35057474 PMCID: PMC8779617 DOI: 10.3390/nu14020295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This study evaluates the impact of Chile’s innovative law on Food Labeling and Advertising, enacted in June 2016, on employment and real wages and profit margins for the food and beverage manufacturing sectors in the 2016–2019 period, using unique company-specific monthly data from Chile’s tax collection agency (measuring aggregate employment, real wages, average size of firms, and gross profit margins of the food and beverage manufacturing sector). Interrupted-time series analyses (ITSA) on administrative data from tax-paying firms was used and compared to synthetic control groups of sectors not affected by the regulations. ITSA results show no effect on aggregate employment nor on the average size of the firms, while they show negligible effects on real wages and gross margin of profits (as proportion of total sales), after the first two stages of the implementation (36 months), despite significant decreases in consumption in certain categories (sugar-sweetened beverages, breakfast cereals, etc.). Despite the large declines found in purchases of unhealthy foods, employment did not change and impacts on other economic outcomes were small. Though Chile’s law, is peculiar there is no reason to believe that if similar regulations were adopted elsewhere, they would have different results.
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Andreeva VA, Egnell M, Stoś K, Przygoda B, Talati Z, Touvier M, Galan P, Hercberg S, Pettigrew S, Julia C. Polish Consumers' Understanding of Different Front-of-Package Food Labels: A Randomized Experiment. Foods 2022; 11:foods11010134. [PMID: 35010260 PMCID: PMC8750026 DOI: 10.3390/foods11010134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Dietary practices are a key behavioral factor in chronic disease prevention; one strategy for improving such practices population-wise involves front-of-package labels (FoPL). This online randomized study, conducted in a quota-based sample of 1159 Polish adults (mean age = 40.9 ± 15.4 years), assessed the objective understanding of five FoPL: Health Star Rating, Multiple Traffic Lights, NutriScore, Reference Intakes (RI) and Warning Label. Objective understanding was evaluated by comparing results of two nutritional quality ranking tasks (without/with FoPL) using three food categories (breakfast cereals, cakes, pizza). Associations between FoPL exposure and objective understanding were assessed via multivariable ordinal logistic regression. Compared to RI and across food categories, significant improvement in objective understanding was seen for NutriScore (OR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.41–2.91) and Warning Label (OR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.12–2.32). In age-stratified analyses, significant improvement in objective understanding compared to RI emerged mainly among adults aged 18–30 years randomized to NutriScore (all food categories: OR = 3.88; 95% CI: 2.04–7.36; cakes: OR = 6.88; 95% CI: 3.05–15.51). Relative to RI, NutriScore was associated with some improvement in objective understanding of FoPL across and within food categories, especially among young adults. These findings contribute to the ongoing debate about an EU-wide FoPL model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina A. Andreeva
- Nutritional Epidemiology Research Group (EREN), Sorbonne Paris Nord University/INSERM U1153/INRAE U1125/CNAM, Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center, University of Paris (CRESS), 93017 Bobigny, France; (M.E.); (M.T.); (P.G.); (S.H.); (C.J.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-1-4838-9030
| | - Manon Egnell
- Nutritional Epidemiology Research Group (EREN), Sorbonne Paris Nord University/INSERM U1153/INRAE U1125/CNAM, Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center, University of Paris (CRESS), 93017 Bobigny, France; (M.E.); (M.T.); (P.G.); (S.H.); (C.J.)
| | - Katarzyna Stoś
- National Institute of Public Health NIH-National Research Institute, 00-791 Warsaw, Poland; (K.S.); (B.P.)
| | - Beata Przygoda
- National Institute of Public Health NIH-National Research Institute, 00-791 Warsaw, Poland; (K.S.); (B.P.)
| | - Zenobia Talati
- Western Australian Cancer Prevention Research Unit, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley 6102, Australia;
| | - Mathilde Touvier
- Nutritional Epidemiology Research Group (EREN), Sorbonne Paris Nord University/INSERM U1153/INRAE U1125/CNAM, Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center, University of Paris (CRESS), 93017 Bobigny, France; (M.E.); (M.T.); (P.G.); (S.H.); (C.J.)
| | - Pilar Galan
- Nutritional Epidemiology Research Group (EREN), Sorbonne Paris Nord University/INSERM U1153/INRAE U1125/CNAM, Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center, University of Paris (CRESS), 93017 Bobigny, France; (M.E.); (M.T.); (P.G.); (S.H.); (C.J.)
| | - Serge Hercberg
- Nutritional Epidemiology Research Group (EREN), Sorbonne Paris Nord University/INSERM U1153/INRAE U1125/CNAM, Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center, University of Paris (CRESS), 93017 Bobigny, France; (M.E.); (M.T.); (P.G.); (S.H.); (C.J.)
- Department of Public Health, AP-HP Paris Seine-Saint-Denis Hospital System, 93017 Bobigny, France
| | - Simone Pettigrew
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2042, Australia;
| | - Chantal Julia
- Nutritional Epidemiology Research Group (EREN), Sorbonne Paris Nord University/INSERM U1153/INRAE U1125/CNAM, Epidemiology and Statistics Research Center, University of Paris (CRESS), 93017 Bobigny, France; (M.E.); (M.T.); (P.G.); (S.H.); (C.J.)
- Department of Public Health, AP-HP Paris Seine-Saint-Denis Hospital System, 93017 Bobigny, France
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Ares G, Velázquez AL, Vidal L, Curutchet MR, Varela P. The role of food packaging on children's diet: Insights for the design of comprehensive regulations to encourage healthier eating habits in childhood and beyond. Food Qual Prefer 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2021.104366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Popkin BM, Ng SW. The nutrition transition to a stage of high obesity and noncommunicable disease prevalence dominated by ultra-processed foods is not inevitable. Obes Rev 2022; 23:e13366. [PMID: 34632692 PMCID: PMC8639733 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The Nutrition Transition model is presented with the nature and pace of change in key stages varying by location and subpopulations. At present, all high-income and many low- and middle-income countries are in a stage of the transition where nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension are dominating adult morbidity and mortality and are very high or growing rapidly in prevalence. Some countries still have key subpopulations facing hunger and undernutrition defined by stunting or extreme thinness among adults. We call these double burden of malnutrition countries. All low- and middle-income countries face rapid growth in consumption of ultra-processed food and beverages, but it is not inevitable that these countries will reach the same high levels of consumption seen in high-income countries, with all the negative impacts of this diet on health. With great political and civil society commitment to adoption of policies shown in other countries to have improved dietary choices and social norms around foods, we can arrest and even reverse the rapid shift to diets dominated by a stage of high ultra-processed food intake and increasing prevalence of nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry M Popkin
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health and the Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Shu Wen Ng
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health and the Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Sacks G, Kwon J, Vandevijvere S, Swinburn B. Benchmarking as a Public Health Strategy for Creating Healthy Food Environments: An Evaluation of the INFORMAS Initiative (2012-2020). Annu Rev Public Health 2021; 42:345-362. [PMID: 33351647 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-100919-114442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and obesity are the leading contributors to poor health worldwide. Efforts to improve population diets need to focus on creating healthy food environments. INFORMAS, established in 2012, is an international network that monitors and benchmarks food environments and related policies. By 2020, INFORMAS was active in 58 countries; national government policies were the most frequent aspect benchmarked. INFORMAS has resulted in the development and widespread application of standardized methods for assessing the characteristics of food environments. The activities of INFORMAS have contributed substantially to capacity building, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and policy evaluation in relation to creating healthy food environments. Future efforts to benchmark food environments need to incorporate measurements related to environmental sustainability. For sustained impact, INFORMAS activities will need to be embedded within other existing monitoring initiatives. The most value will come from repeated assessments that help drive increased accountability for improving food environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Sacks
- Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia; ,
| | - Janelle Kwon
- Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE), Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia; ,
| | | | - Boyd Swinburn
- School of Population Health, The University of Auckland, St. Johns, Auckland 1072, New Zealand;
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Parra-Murillo M, Lowery CM, Gómez LF, Mora-Plazas M, Taillie LS, Dillman Carpentier FR. Claims on Ready-to-Eat Cereals: Are Those With Claims Healthier? Front Nutr 2021; 8:770489. [PMID: 34901117 PMCID: PMC8662936 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.770489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The use of advertising content strategies that suggest consuming a product will confer nutrient- and health-related benefits influences household food purchasing decisions, which increases consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor products. We examined the presence of marketing claims regarding nutrient content, health and nature in ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal packages in relation to the products' nutritional quality. Methods: A cross-sectional content analysis was conducted on 178 RTE cereal packages available in the six largest supermarket chains in four Colombian cities from August to November 2018. The nutritional quality of products was assessed through the nutrient profile model established by the Chilean Law of Food Labeling and Advertising law. Results: All products sampled exceeded the regulation threshold for at least one nutrient of concern (e.g., high-in calories and/or sugar). The majority (66.3%) of packages had claims related to nature, 57.3% had nutrient-content claims, and 15.7% had health benefit or risk avoidance claims. Most products with nature, nutrient-content, and health claims were high in energy (99.2, 98.0, and 92.9%, respectively) and sugar (88.1, 87.3, and 92.9%, respectively). Conclusion: RTE cereal products offered in major Colombian supermarket chains are heavily marketed using nutrition- and nature-related claims. Nearly all products with claims are high in energy and sugar, despite the messages conveyed by the claims to consumers. Results support the implementation of mandatory regulations restricting claims on food and beverage products high in nutrients of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caitlin M Lowery
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Luis F Gómez
- Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Mercedes Mora-Plazas
- Departamento de Nutrición Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Lindsey Smith Taillie
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.,Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Hock K, Acton RB, Jáuregui A, Vanderlee L, White CM, Hammond D. Experimental study of front-of-package nutrition labels' efficacy on perceived healthfulness of sugar-sweetened beverages among youth in six countries. Prev Med Rep 2021; 24:101577. [PMID: 34976639 PMCID: PMC8683942 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2021.101577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labels have been proposed as a strategy to help limit sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption among youth. However, few studies have examined the efficacy of FOP labels in youth across different countries. A between-group experiment was conducted to examine the impact of FOP labels (no-label control, Health Star Rating, 'High in' Octagon, Guideline Daily Amount (GDA), Traffic Light, or Nutri-Score) on perceived healthfulness of an SSB. The study was conducted online in November-December 2019 with 10,762 children aged 10-17 from six countries: Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States. A binary logistic regression model tested the impacts of FOP label condition, country, and sociodemographic characteristics on participants' likelihood of perceiving the SSB to be Unhealthy. Compared to the control condition, participants in each of the five FOP label conditions were significantly more likely to perceive the SSB as Unhealthy (p < 0.002). The 'High in' Octagon label had the greatest impact on perceived healthfulness across five out of six countries, whereas the GDA and Nutri-Score labels demonstrated the lowest impact across all six countries. The impact of FOP labels was consistent across sex, age, race/ethnicity, and perceived income adequacy. FOP labels can significantly reduce the perceived healthfulness of SSBs among youth across multiple countries. The current study adds to the evidence that 'high in' labels, which use intuitive symbols such as the octagon 'stop sign', are the most efficacious labels for helping consumers identify foods high in nutrients of concern, including SSBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Hock
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Rachel B. Acton
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Alejandra Jáuregui
- Centre for Health and Nutrition Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, MOR 62100, Mexico
| | - Lana Vanderlee
- School of Nutrition, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Christine M. White
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - David Hammond
- School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
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Song J, Brown MK, Tan M, MacGregor GA, Webster J, Campbell NRC, Trieu K, Ni Mhurchu C, Cobb LK, He FJ. Impact of color-coded and warning nutrition labelling schemes: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. PLoS Med 2021; 18:e1003765. [PMID: 34610024 PMCID: PMC8491916 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suboptimal diets are a leading risk factor for death and disability. Nutrition labelling is a potential method to encourage consumers to improve dietary behaviour. This systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) summarises evidence on the impact of colour-coded interpretive labels and warning labels on changing consumers' purchasing behaviour. METHODS AND FINDINGS We conducted a literature review of peer-reviewed articles published between 1 January 1990 and 24 May 2021 in PubMed, Embase via Ovid, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and SCOPUS. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies were included for the primary outcomes (measures of changes in consumers' purchasing and consuming behaviour). A frequentist NMA method was applied to pool the results. A total of 156 studies (including 101 RCTs and 55 non-RCTs) nested in 138 articles were incorporated into the systematic review, of which 134 studies in 120 articles were eligible for meta-analysis. We found that the traffic light labelling system (TLS), nutrient warning (NW), and health warning (HW) were associated with an increased probability of selecting more healthful products (odds ratios [ORs] and 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: TLS, 1.5 [1.2, 1.87]; NW, 3.61 [2.82, 4.63]; HW, 1.65 [1.32, 2.06]). Nutri-Score (NS) and warning labels appeared effective in reducing consumers' probability of selecting less healthful products (NS, 0.66 [0.53, 0.82]; NW,0.65 [0.54, 0.77]; HW,0.64 [0.53, 0.76]). NS and NW were associated with an increased overall healthfulness (healthfulness ratings of products purchased using models such as FSAm-NPS/HCSP) by 7.9% and 26%, respectively. TLS, NS, and NW were associated with a reduced energy (total energy: TLS, -6.5%; NS, -6%; NW, -12.9%; energy per 100 g/ml: TLS, -3%; NS, -3.5%; NW, -3.8%), sodium (total sodium/salt: TLS, -6.4%; sodium/salt per 100 g/ml: NS: -7.8%), fat (total fat: NS, -15.7%; fat per 100 g/ml: TLS: -2.6%; NS: -3.2%), and total saturated fat (TLS, -12.9%; NS: -17.1%; NW: -16.3%) content of purchases. The impact of TLS, NS, and NW on purchasing behaviour could be explained by improved understanding of the nutrition information, which further elicits negative perception towards unhealthful products or positive attitudes towards healthful foods. Comparisons across label types suggested that colour-coded labels performed better in nudging consumers towards the purchase of more healthful products (NS versus NW: 1.51 [1.08, 2.11]), while warning labels have the advantage in discouraging unhealthful purchasing behaviour (NW versus TLS: 0.81 [0.67, 0.98]; HW versus TLS: 0.8 [0.63, 1]). Study limitations included high heterogeneity and inconsistency in the comparisons across different label types, limited number of real-world studies (95% were laboratory studies), and lack of long-term impact assessments. CONCLUSIONS Our systematic review provided comprehensive evidence for the impact of colour-coded labels and warnings in nudging consumers' purchasing behaviour towards more healthful products and the underlying psychological mechanism of behavioural change. Each type of label had different attributes, which should be taken into consideration when making front-of-package nutrition labelling (FOPL) policies according to local contexts. Our study supported mandatory front-of-pack labelling policies in directing consumers' choice and encouraging the food industry to reformulate their products. PROTOCOL REGISTRY PROSPERO (CRD42020161877).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Song
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mhairi K. Brown
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Monique Tan
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Graham A. MacGregor
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jacqui Webster
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Newtown, Australia
| | - Norm R. C. Campbell
- Department of Medicine and Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kathy Trieu
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Newtown, Australia
| | - Cliona Ni Mhurchu
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Newtown, Australia
- National Institute for Health Innovation, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Laura K. Cobb
- Resolve to Save Lives, Vital Strategies, New York City, New York, United States of America
| | - Feng J. He
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
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Children's Perceptions about Environmental Sustainability, Food, and Nutrition in Chile: A Qualitative Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18189679. [PMID: 34574616 PMCID: PMC8467886 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Food is inextricably linked to human health and environmental sustainability; however, very little is known about children’s perceptions of the concept of sustainability in the context of food choices. We aimed to explore the perceptions of Chilean schoolchildren about environmental sustainability, food, and nutrition. Eight online focus groups were conducted with boys and girls aged 8–9 (n = 30). Questions related to environmental sustainability, pocket money, and food characteristics such as price, front-of-package (FOP) warning label, and eco-labels were included. Data analysis was conducted using ATLAS.ti through a hybrid content analysis approach. Five central themes were identified: (1) children’s favorite snacks, (2) knowledge of sustainability, (3) sustainability and eco-labels use, (4) healthfulness of food products, and (5) pocket money and food prices. Most children were not aware of the meaning of “environmental sustainability”, but the concept was understood when it was explained in plain language. Participants showed awareness about the environmental impact of their eating behavior, had a positive perception of eco-labels, and identified food with fewer warning labels as “better” options. Results indicate that children understand the concept of sustainability in food if it is communicated clearly, and that eco-labels may be an effective tool in that effort.
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