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Oliveira L, BinMowyna MN, Alasqah I, Zandonadi RP, Teixeira-Lemos E, Chaves C, Alturki HA, Albaridi NA, Alribdi FF, Raposo A. A Pilot Study on Dietary Choices at Universities: Vending Machines, Canteens, and Lunch from Home. Nutrients 2024; 16:1722. [PMID: 38892655 PMCID: PMC11174703 DOI: 10.3390/nu16111722] [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: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Commercial environments and food acquisition methods significantly shape dietary practices and impact health. This study assesses dietary choices among Portuguese university students regarding vending machines, canteens, and lunches from home. It also evaluates their use of the university canteen and their tendency to bring lunch from home. This pilot cross-sectional study used a self-administered electronic questionnaire, made available in early 2023. Participants were recruited through snowball sampling. The study included 137 students from Portuguese higher education institutions, mainly women (74.5%), pursuing degrees or integrated Master's degrees (83.2%), primarily in health-related fields (55.5%). The median age was 21 years (20 to 23.5 years). About 70.0% regularly consumed food from vending machines, while approximately 60.0% brought lunch from home, avoiding the canteen. Factors such as convenience (48.5%), price (47.5%), product availability (40.6%), and taste (39.6%) mainly influenced vending machine choices. Monthly, chocolates, water, coffee, cookies, treats, and soft drinks were the most commonly acquired items, with coffee being the most frequent daily purchase. These findings provide insights for creating policies and initiatives to promote healthier and more accessible food options for students and strategies to encourage positive eating behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Oliveira
- CBIOS (Research Center for Biosciences and Health Technologies), Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal
- Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Coimbra Health School, Rua 5 de Outubro–S. Martinho do Bispo, Apartado 7006, 3046-854 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Mona N. BinMowyna
- College of Education, Shaqra University, Shaqra 11911, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ibrahim Alasqah
- Department of Community, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, College of Nursing, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia;
- School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - Renata Puppin Zandonadi
- Department of Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of Brasilia (UnB), Campus Darcy Ribeiro, Asa Norte, Brasilia 70910-900, Brazil;
| | - Edite Teixeira-Lemos
- CERNAS Research Centre, Polytechnic University of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal;
| | - Cláudia Chaves
- ESSV, Centre for Studies in Education and Innovation (CI&DEI), Polytechnic University of Viseu, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal;
| | - Hmidan A. Alturki
- King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology, Wellness and Preventive Medicine Institute—Health Sector, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Najla A. Albaridi
- Department of Health Science, College of Health and Rehabilitation, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia;
| | | | - António Raposo
- CBIOS (Research Center for Biosciences and Health Technologies), Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal
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Martinez-Perez N, Torheim LE, Arroyo-Izaga M. Availability and properties of commercially produced food products offered in European public universities: A North-South comparison. J Food Sci 2024; 89:2494-2511. [PMID: 38488725 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.17022] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
To date, there are no studies that have compared university food environments (FEs) with different sociocultural contexts. Therefore, we analyzed differences in the availability and properties of commercially produced foods, in a northern and a southern European university (located in Norway and Spain, respectively). A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at OsloMet-Oslo Metropolitan University and at the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU. The nutritional quality of food products was estimated through the following nutrient profiling models (NPMs): those proposed by the Spanish Agency for Consumer Affairs, Food Safety and Nutrition (AECOSAN), the UK nutrient profiling model (UK NPM), the Norwegian Food and Drink Industry Professional Practices Committee (Matbransjens Fagligle Utvalg [MFU]), and a combination of them. In addition, food items were classified using the NOVA system. A total of 251 and 1051 products were identified at OsloMet and the UPV/EHU, respectively. The percentage categorized as low nutritional quality (LNQ) was higher at the UPV/EHU (almost 54.5% of the total products) compared with at OsloMet (almost 40%) (p < 0.001). Most of the products were categorized as ultra-processed, and there were no differences in the percentage of ultra-processed foods between the two universities (OsloMet 86.1%, UPV/EHU 83.3%, p > 0.05). A higher proportion of LNQ products was found at the UPV/EHU than at OsloMet, probably due to the government policies and actions for creating healthy FEs. Consequently, there is a need to develop interventions to improve the FE at the UPV/EHU, adapted to its sociocultural context. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study reveals north-south differences in terms of the availability of low nutritional quality food products. In particular, a higher proportion of this type of product was found at the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU than at OsloMet-Oslo Metropolitan University. Our exploratory hypothesis is that this phenomenon is a consequence of the Nordic government policies that have great potential to create healthy FEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naiara Martinez-Perez
- Department of Nursing I, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Spain
- BIOMICs Research Group, Microfluidics & BIOMICs Cluster, Lascaray Research Center, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Liv Elin Torheim
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, OsloMet-Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marta Arroyo-Izaga
- BIOMICs Research Group, Microfluidics & BIOMICs Cluster, Lascaray Research Center, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Department of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Bioaraba, BA04.03, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
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Lasala C, Durán A, Lledó D, Soriano JM. Assessment of Nutritional Quality of Products Sold in University Vending Machines According to the Front-of-Pack (FoP) Guide. Nutrients 2022; 14:5010. [PMID: 36501038 PMCID: PMC9736989 DOI: 10.3390/nu14235010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this research was to assess the nutritional composition of 654 foods and beverages from vending machines on a University Campus. The guide called “Creating a front of pack nutrition label for pre-packed products sold through retail outlets” from the Department of Health (UK) was used to assess the nutritional composition and to compare values from food and beverage categories. A high proportion of food items had high−moderate content of nutrients related to chronic disease (93, 88, 74 and 49% had high−moderate content of fat, saturated fat, salt and sugar, respectively). On the other hand, a few beverages had high−moderate content of these nutrients, except for sugar (2% high to moderate in fat, 2% in saturated fat, 0% in salt and 39% in sugar). The most frequent food categories were chocolates and bars (10.6%) and breadsticks (8.4%), whereas the most available beverages were water (27.7%) and soft drinks (23.4%). There were no statistically significant differences in the proportion of categories between the health science and humanities faculties, except for energy drinks (p < 0.05) and soft drinks (p < 0.05). Vending machines contribute to an obesogenic environment and do not support healthy snacking. Recommendations in this article should be considered to develop official guidelines to ensure the wider availability of healthy dietary choices in vending machines in university settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Lasala
- Area of Nutrition, University Clinic of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Physiotherapy (CUNAFF), Lluís Alcanyís Foundation-University of Valencia, 46020 Valencia, Spain
- Food & Health Lab, Institute of Materials Science, University of Valencia, 46980 Paterna, Spain
| | - Antonio Durán
- Area of Nutrition, University Clinic of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Physiotherapy (CUNAFF), Lluís Alcanyís Foundation-University of Valencia, 46020 Valencia, Spain
- Food & Health Lab, Institute of Materials Science, University of Valencia, 46980 Paterna, Spain
| | - Daniel Lledó
- Area of Nutrition, University Clinic of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Physiotherapy (CUNAFF), Lluís Alcanyís Foundation-University of Valencia, 46020 Valencia, Spain
- Food & Health Lab, Institute of Materials Science, University of Valencia, 46980 Paterna, Spain
| | - Jose M. Soriano
- Food & Health Lab, Institute of Materials Science, University of Valencia, 46980 Paterna, Spain
- Joint Research Unit on Endocrinology, Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, Research Institute La Fe, University of Valencia-Health, 46026 Valencia, Spain
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Martinez-Perez N, Telleria-Aramburu N, Insúa P, Hernández I, Telletxea S, Ansotegui L, Rebato E, Basabe N, de Pancorbo MM, Rocandio A, Arroyo-Izaga M. On-campus food purchase behaviors, choice determinants, and opinions on food availability in a Spanish university community. Nutrition 2022; 103-104:111789. [PMID: 35964438 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2022.111789] [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: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate food purchasing behaviors, choice determinants, and opinions about on-campus food availability by a university community and to analyze differences in these aspects between students, education and/or research staff (ERS), and administrative and services staff (ASS), and between males and females. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study that involved a representative sample of students (n = 1089), ERS (n = 396), and ASS (n = 300) who completed an anonymous online survey. A previously adapted version of the questionnaire was administered. The results were weighted to ensure representativeness of this community population using weighted coefficients. RESULTS The results showed that most of the participants purchased food on campus (91.6%), especially for lunch (67.4% of foods and 37.4% of drinks) and snack (65.4% of foods and 45.4% of drinks). Hot drinks (i.e., coffee, tea, hot chocolate etc.; 60.5%), bottled water (49.2%), and hot foods (i.e., small servings [38.2%] and sandwiches/hamburgers [31.7%]) were the most purchased items. Taste (98.6%) was the most important determinant in choice, followed by price for students, nutritional value for ASS, and health value for ERS. The "top 5" opinions suggested for the campus food environment and potential changes were "greater capacity to access free filtered drinking water", "greater capacity to recycle food packaging," "more healthy options in vending machines", "discounts for healthy choices," and "allergen labeling." CONCLUSION Interventions that improve sustainability and the affordability of products with high nutritional quality, price-manipulation directives, and allergen information on labeling would be well received among this community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naiara Martinez-Perez
- Department of Nursing I, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa (Bizkaia), Spain
| | - Nerea Telleria-Aramburu
- Department of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz (Araba/Álava), Spain
| | - Patricia Insúa
- Department of Basic Psychology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Donostia/San Sebastián (Gipuzkoa), Spain
| | - Idoia Hernández
- Section of the Legal Advice of Administrative Contracting, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa (Bizkaia), Spain
| | - Saioa Telletxea
- Departament of Social Psychology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz (Araba/Álava), Spain
| | - Laura Ansotegui
- Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz (Araba/Álava), Spain
| | - Esther Rebato
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa (Bizkaia), Spain
| | - Nekane Basabe
- Departament of Social Psychology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz (Araba/Álava), Spain
| | - Marian M de Pancorbo
- BIOMICs Research Group, Microfluidics & BIOMICs Cluster UPV/EHU, Lascaray Research Centre, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz (Araba/Álava), Spain; Department of Z. and Cellular Biology A, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz (Araba/Álava), Spain
| | - Ana Rocandio
- Department of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz (Araba/Álava), Spain; BIOMICs Research Group, Microfluidics & BIOMICs Cluster UPV/EHU, Lascaray Research Centre, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz (Araba/Álava), Spain
| | - Marta Arroyo-Izaga
- Department of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz (Araba/Álava), Spain; BIOMICs Research Group, Microfluidics & BIOMICs Cluster UPV/EHU, Lascaray Research Centre, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz (Araba/Álava), Spain.
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Study on Energy Efficiency of an Off-Grid Vending Machine with Compact Heat Exchangers and Low GWP Refrigerant Powered by Solar Energy. ENERGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/en15124433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to design an energy-efficient off-grid vending machine that has a refrigeration system powered by an environmentally friendly refrigerant. The paper presents details from the equipment’s design phase in terms of the resistance structure, photovoltaic panels area dimensioning, but also in terms of the necessary cooling load to be provided by the refrigeration system. The refrigerant chosen was R290 following a comparative analysis, which showed that it has an efficiency 6.6% higher than R134a. During the monitoring periods, the outdoors temperature varied between −4–28 °C, the relative humidity between 22–100% and yet only a slight indoor temperature variation of ±1.5 °C compared to the set value was recorded. The battery module managed to store enough energy from the photovoltaic panels to keep the vending machine functional through three consecutive days with adverse environmental conditions, as evidenced by the low variation of indoor temperature
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Methodology for Determining Phthalate Residues by Ultrasound–Vortex-Assisted Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction and GC-IT/MS in Hot Drink Samples by Vending Machines. ANALYTICA 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/analytica3020015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, a simple, fast, and effective methodology has been developed for the detection and quantification of seven phthalates potentially released in hot drinks from disposable containers used in vending machines. The authors determined the optimal conditions to be applied during the various steps of extraction of seven phthalates (DMP, DEP, DBP, DiBP, DEHP, DNOP, and DDP) from hot beverages using a model solution. The extraction and preconcentration technique used was ultrasound–vortex-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (UVA-DLLME) followed by gas chromatographic analysis obtaining recoveries from 66.7% to 101.2% with precision and reproducibility <6.3% and <11.1%, respectively. The influence of waiting time, from the dispensing of the drink to its actual consumption, for the extraction of molecules was investigated, obtaining a temporal release profile slightly shifted towards the PAEs with higher molecular weight and vice versa for those with low molecular weight. In addition, the best instrumental parameters to be applied during the analysis of the extracts obtained were established. This optimization was carried out using GC-FID, whereas the analysis of real samples was carried out by means of GC-IT/MS for ultra-trace analysis purposes; limits of detection (LODs) ranging between 0.8 ng mL−1 and 15.4 ng mL−1 and limits of quantification (LOQs) from 1.6 ng mL−1 to 35.8 ng mL−1, both of them lower than those found by FID, were obtained.
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