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Brunet G, Machín L, Fajardo G, Bonilla L, Costa M, González F, Bentancor S, Verdier S, Girona A, Curutchet MR, Pochellú L, Cauci A, Ares G. Coping strategies of food insecure households with children and adolescents in Uruguay, a high-income Latin American country: A qualitative study through the lens of Bourdieu's theories of capitals and practice. Appetite 2024; 198:107383. [PMID: 38685318 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Food insecurity has been associated with negative short, medium, and long-term health consequences, which are more detrimental for children and adolescents. These effects may depend on the coping strategies developed to deal with food shortages. The present research aimed at exploring coping strategies in food insecure households with children and adolescents in Uruguay, incorporating sociological theoretical insights from Bourdieu. A qualitative approach based on individual semi-structured interviews was used. A total of 40 interviews were conducted with adults who had parental responsibilities of children and adolescents and who received different types of food assistance, between July and December 2022, in four cities. Results showed that adults tend to develop a wide range of coping strategies aimed at: reducing food expenditure, increasing the availability of money for purchasing food, increasing food availability and/or rationing the food available in the household. Some of the strategies were implemented regardless of the severity of food insecurity, whereas others were characteristic of the moderate and severe levels of the construct. Evidence to support the mediation effect of coping strategies on health outcomes was found. Discourses suggested that lower accumulation of economic and cultural capital may be aligned with the adoption of less socially accepted mechanisms to access to food. Expressions of a specific habitus aimed at securing food were identified among participants with more deprivations. Taken together, the findings suggest that coping strategies may not be a universal or invariant sequence according to the severity of food insecurity and stress the importance of considering households' resources and local context for the development of strategies to improve access to food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerónimo Brunet
- Espacio Interdisciplinario, Universidad de la República, José Enrique Rodó 1843, CP, 11200, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Leandro Machín
- Centro de Investigación Básica en Psicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Tristán Narvaja 1674, CP, 11200, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gabriela Fajardo
- Escuela de Nutrición, Universidad de la República, Av. Ricaldoni S/N, CP, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Luciana Bonilla
- Instituto Nacional de Alimentación, Ministerio de Desarrollo Social, Piedras 165, CP, 11000, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Costa
- Instituto Nacional de Alimentación, Ministerio de Desarrollo Social, Piedras 165, CP, 11000, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Fernanda González
- Instituto Nacional de Alimentación, Ministerio de Desarrollo Social, Piedras 165, CP, 11000, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Silvia Bentancor
- Instituto Nacional de Alimentación, Ministerio de Desarrollo Social, Piedras 165, CP, 11000, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Sofía Verdier
- Instituto Nacional de Alimentación, Ministerio de Desarrollo Social, Piedras 165, CP, 11000, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alejandra Girona
- Escuela de Nutrición, Universidad de la República, Av. Ricaldoni S/N, CP, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Rosa Curutchet
- Instituto Nacional de Alimentación, Ministerio de Desarrollo Social, Piedras 165, CP, 11000, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucía Pochellú
- Instituto Nacional de Alimentación, Ministerio de Desarrollo Social, Piedras 165, CP, 11000, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Adriana Cauci
- Escuela de Nutrición, Universidad de la República, Av. Ricaldoni S/N, CP, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gastón Ares
- Centro de Investigación Básica en Psicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Tristán Narvaja 1674, CP, 11200, Montevideo, Uruguay; 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, Uruguay
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Ares G, De Rosso S, Mueller C, Philippe K, Pickard A, Nicklaus S, van Kleef E, Varela P. Development of food literacy in children and adolescents: implications for the design of strategies to promote healthier and more sustainable diets. Nutr Rev 2024; 82:536-552. [PMID: 37339527 PMCID: PMC10925906 DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuad072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Food literacy has emerged as a key individual trait to promote the transformation of food systems toward healthy and sustainable diets. Childhood and adolescence are key periods for establishing the foundations of eating habits. Different food literacy competencies are acquired as children develop different cognitive abilities, skills, and experiences, contributing to the development of critical tools that allow them to navigate a complex food system. Thus, the design and implementation of programs to support the development of food literacy from early childhood can contribute to healthier and more sustainable eating habits. In this context, the aim of the present narrative review is to provide an in-depth description of how different food literacy competencies are developed in childhood and adolescence, integrating the extensive body of evidence on cognitive, social, and food-related development. Implications for the development of multisectoral strategies to target the multidimensional nature of food literacy and promote the development of the 3 types of competencies (relational, functional, and critical) are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gastón Ares
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
| | - Sofia De Rosso
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Institut Agro, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Carina Mueller
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Kaat Philippe
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Institut Agro, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland
| | - Abigail Pickard
- Center for Food and Hospitality Research, Cognitive Science, Institut Paul Bocuse Research Center, Lyon, France
- Laboratoire d’Etude de l’Apprentissage et du Développement–Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique UMR5022, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
- School of Psychology, College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie Nicklaus
- Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l’Alimentation, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Institut Agro, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Ellen van Kleef
- Marketing and Consumer Behaviour Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Paula Varela
- Nofima AS, Ås, Norway
- Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, The Norwegian University of Life Science, Ås, Norway
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Ares G, Antúnez L, Alcaire F, Natero V, Otterbring T. Is this advertisement designed to appeal to you? Adolescents' views about Instagram advertisements promoting ultra-processed products. Public Health Nutr 2024; 27:e96. [PMID: 38449441 PMCID: PMC10993065 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980024000533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Examine the key elements that characterise social media advertisements targeted at adolescents by asking adolescents which features of Instagram ads promoting ultra-processed products make them designed to appeal to adolescents. DESIGN Instagram ads promoting ultra-processed products and brands were selected from a database in which ads had been classified regarding whether they were primarily targeted at adolescents from an adult perspective. Adolescents completed a sorting task in small groups and were requested to reach a consensus through discussions and sticky notes regarding whether sixty ads were designed to appeal to them. The sorting task was analysed using content analysis based on inductive coding. SETTING One private secondary school and two after-school clubs. PARTICIPANTS Convenience sample of 105 Uruguayan adolescents aged 11-17 years. RESULTS Ten categories were identified regarding the reasons for sorting ads as (not) designed to appeal to adolescents: product type, graphic design, explicit references to age groups, language, activities or themes, memes, celebrities, characters, promotions and novelty. Product type emerged as a key element, with adolescents perceiving ads as designed to appeal to them simply because they promoted specific products. CONCLUSIONS This research contributes to the validation of criteria defined in previous studies and can be used for the development of tools to monitor the prevalence and power of adolescent-targeted digital marketing. However, the importance attributed to type of product suggests that regulations should not exclusively focus on exposure to digital marketing specifically targeted at adolescents but also on exposure to marketing in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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, Pando, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Centro de Investigación Básica en Psicología, Facultad de Psicología,
Universidad de la República, Tristán Narvaja 1674,
Montevideo, 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, Pando, Montevideo, 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, Pando, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Virginia Natero
- Escuela de Nutrición, Universidad de la
República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Tobias Otterbring
- School of Business and Law, Department of Management,
University of Agder, Universitetsveien 17,
Kristiansand, Norway
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Ares G, Natero V, Gugliucci V, Machín L, Alcaire F, de León C, Otterbring T. Health-Washing of Ultraprocessed Products on Instagram: Prevalence and Strategies in an Emerging Market. J Nutr Educ Behav 2023; 55:815-822. [PMID: 37777932 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2023.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence of health-related cues as part of the digital marketing of ultraprocessed foods on Instagram among food companies in Uruguay. METHODS Cross-sectional exploratory study. All content posted by 118 Instagram accounts of companies promoting ultraprocessed foods in Uruguay over 6 months (from August 2020 to February 2021) was retrieved. The content of 1,893 Instagram posts was coded considering visual and textual cues conveying health-related associations. The number and percentage of posts, including cues within each category and theme, were calculated. RESULTS More than half of all posts contained at least 1 visual or textual cue conveying health-related associations. Three main themes emerged: i) product composition, ii) healthy lifestyle, and iii) health and health benefits. The prevalence of health-related cues differed dramatically across product categories, ranging from 100% to 1.5%. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Health-washing constitutes an integral part of the digital marketing of ultraprocessed foods on Instagram in Uruguay. The inclusion of health-related cues can potentially undermine public health efforts targeted at reducing consumption of these foods. These findings suggest that strict and comprehensive regulations on the digital marketing of such products are needed in policies promoting healthy eating habits globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gastón Ares
- Sensometrics and Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Pando, Uruguay; Centro de Investigación Básica en Psicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Virginia Natero
- Departamento de Alimentos, Escuela de Nutrición, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Vanessa Gugliucci
- 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
| | - Florencia Alcaire
- Sensometrics and Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Pando, Uruguay
| | | | - Tobias Otterbring
- School of Business and Law, Department of Management, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway; Institute of Retail Economics, Stockholm, Sweden
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Alcaire F, Machín L, Curutchet MR, Giménez A, Ares G. Parent Experiences With Warning Labels After Policy Implementation in Uruguay. J Nutr Educ Behav 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Machín L, Alcaire F, Antúnez L, Giménez A, Curutchet MR, Ares G. Use of nutritional warning labels at the point of purchase: An exploratory study using self-reported measures and eye-tracking. Appetite 2023:106634. [PMID: 37356578 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.106634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Nutritional warning labels are gaining relevance in the region of the Americas as a policy tool to reduce information asymmetry and encourage healthier food choices. However, empirical evidence about consumer experiences with warning labels after implementation is still scarce. In this context, the aim of the present work was to explore the use of nutritional warning labels after policy implementation in Uruguay, using a combination of eye-tracking and self-reported data. The study was conducted in three supermarkets, in two regional capitals, 19 months after the entry into force of the policy. A total of 224 participants were intercepted while entering the facilities of the supermarket and asked to wear a mobile eye-tracker while making their food purchases. Then, they were asked a series of questions about their awareness and use of warning labels. Although participants reported high awareness and understanding of the labels, active search and use at the point of purchase was low. Only 6% of the consumers declared having actively searched for the warning labels and 7% fixated their gaze on the labels. The majority of the participants (72%) who declared having seen the warnings on a product, purchased it anyway. However, 56% declared having changed their food choice decisions as a consequence of the implementation of the policy. Participants' accounts about reasons for (not) taking into account the warning labels provide relevant insights for the development of strategies to encourage citizens to increase policy effectiveness and encourage healthier food choices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Machín
- Centro de Investigación Básica en Psicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
| | - Florencia Alcaire
- Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
| | - Lucía Antúnez
- Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
| | - Ana Giménez
- Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
| | | | - Gastón Ares
- Centro de Investigación Básica en Psicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Uruguay; Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.
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Jaeger SR, Vidal L, Chheang SL, Ares G. Dimensions of food-related wellbeing and their relative importance among New Zealand consumers: A quasi-replication and extension approach. Appetite 2023:106613. [PMID: 37290719 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.106613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Research into perceived wellbeing (WB) can improve understanding of consumer food choices and support development of strategies to promote healthier and more sustainable eating habits. In this research, using online studies, food-related WB was explored among New Zealand consumers. In a "quasi-replication" of Jaeger, Prescott, and Worch (2022), Study 1 uncovered word associations to different WB-related terms ('Sense of wellbeing,' 'Lack of wellbeing,' 'Feeling good,' 'Feeling bad/unhappy,' 'Satisfied with life,' and 'Dissatisfied with life') with 912 participants in a between-subjects design. The results confirmed the multidimensional nature of WB, and the need to consider positive and negative aspects of food-related WB, as well as differences linked to physical, emotional, and spiritual WB. Drawing on Study 1, 13 characteristics of food-related WB were identified, and in Study 2 their importance for feeling a 'Sense of wellbeing' and 'Satisfied with life' was determined with 1206 participants using a between-subjects design. In a further extension, Study 2 also adopted a product-specific perspective and explored the associations of, and importance, for 16 different foods and beverages to food-related WB. Based on Best-Worst Scaling and penalty/lift analysis, the four most important characteristics overall were 'Is good quality,' 'Is healthy,' 'Is fresh,' and 'Is tasty,' with the nuance that healthiness contributed most to feeling a 'Sense of wellbeing' while good quality contributed most to feeling 'Satisfied with life.' The associations to individual foods and beverages underscored that food-related WB is a complex construct arising from an overall evaluation of the different effects of foods (including physical health, social and spiritual aspects of food consumption) and their short-term effects on food-related behaviour. Contextual and individual differences in perceptions of WB in relation to food deserve further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R Jaeger
- Vescor Research, 2900, Hellerup, Copenhagen, Denmark; The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, 120 Mt Albert Road, Private Bag 92169, Victoria Street West, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - 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
| | - Sok L Chheang
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, 120 Mt Albert Road, Private Bag 92169, Victoria Street West, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - 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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Rodríguez R, de León C, Girona A, Alcaire F, Antúnez L, Ares G, Vidal L. The Idealization of Infant Formula: A Longitudinal Analysis of Labels in Uruguay. J Hum Lact 2023:8903344231172478. [PMID: 37194971 DOI: 10.1177/08903344231172478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Labels are a key element of the marketing strategies of infant formula companies, and often include text or images that idealize their use, undermining efforts to promote breastfeeding. RESEARCH AIMS To evaluate the prevalence of marketing cues that idealize infant formula on labels of products commercialized in Uruguay and to assess changes after a periodic monitoring of compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes (IC). METHOD This study is a descriptive, observational, and longitudinal assessment of the information included on infant formula labels. The first data collection was in 2019, as part of a periodic assessment to monitor the marketing of human-milk substitutes. In 2021, the same products were purchased to evaluate changes in their labels. Thirty-eight products were identified in 2019, of which 33 were still available in 2021. All information available on the labels was analyzed through content analysis. RESULTS Most products included at least one textual or visual marketing cue idealizing infant formula in both 2019 (n = 30, 91%) and 2021 (n = 29, 88%). This represents a violation of both the IC and national regulations. References to nutritional composition were the most frequent marketing cue, followed by references to child growth and development. No relevant changes were observed after the periodic assessment conducted by the Uruguayan government. CONCLUSIONS Monitoring compliance with the IC per se cannot be expected to trigger changes in the marketing strategies of infant formula companies. More explicit regulations and strong enforcement mechanisms are needed to end the inappropriate marketing practices on infant formula labels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Rodríguez
- Departamento de Nutrición Básica, Escuela de Nutrición, Universidad de la República, Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
| | | | - Alejandra Girona
- Departamento de Nutrición Básica, Escuela de Nutrición, Universidad de la República, Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
| | - Florencia Alcaire
- Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
| | - Lucía Antúnez
- Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
| | - Gastón Ares
- Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
| | - Leticia Vidal
- Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
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11
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Montoli P, Ares G, Aschemann-Witzel J, Curutchet MR, Giménez A. Food donation as a strategy to reduce food waste in an emerging Latin American country: a case study in Uruguay. Nutrire 2023; 48:22. [PMID: 38625195 PMCID: PMC10124677 DOI: 10.1186/s41110-023-00208-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Abstract Food donation has expanded globally and has become a common form of food assistance in emerging countries. However, research on food donation experiences in these settings is still scarce. Purpose In this context, the objectives of the present work were as follows: (i) to explore the views of Uruguayan stakeholders on food donation as a strategy to reduce food waste, (ii) to identify barriers and enablers for food donation in Uruguay, and (iii) to explore the organizational characteristics of Uruguayan food banks. Methods A qualitative approach based on two data collection strategies was used: documentary content analysis of official governmental documents and in-depth semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders related to food waste and food donations in Uruguay. Results Food donation emerged as a central strategy for food waste reduction in the view of Uruguayan stakeholders, mainly because it was perceived as an efficient strategy to reduce food insecurity. The complexity of food donation was acknowledged by Uruguayan stakeholders and who identified several barriers for its implementation related to economic considerations, the characteristics of the donated products, legal and commercial considerations, and organizational characteristics of food banks. Conclusion Although most barriers were aligned with results from previous studies conducted in developed countries, some specificities to the Uruguayan context were also identified. Clear and detailed legal frameworks to ensure that the donated products reach the target population along with nutritional requirements for the foods to be donated were deemed necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Montoli
- Espacio Interdisciplinario, Universidad de la República, José Enrique Rodó 1843, 11200 Montevideo, 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, 91000 Pando, Canelones Uruguay
| | - Jessica Aschemann-Witzel
- MAPP Centre – Research on Value Creation in the Food Sector, Aarhus University, Fuglesangsalle 4, 8210 Aarhus V, Denmark
| | - María Rosa Curutchet
- Instituto Nacional de Alimentación, Ministerio de Desarrollo Social, Piedras 165, 11000 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ana Giménez
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, By Pass de Rutas 8 y 101 S/N, 91000 Pando, Canelones Uruguay
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12
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Jaeger SR, Antúnez L, Ares G. An exploration of what freshness in fruit means to consumers. Food Res Int 2023; 165:112491. [PMID: 36869502 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2023.112491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Perceived freshness is a key determinant of consumers' food choices but remains an imprecisely defined concept. A comprehensive and consumer-centric definition of freshness appears to be lacking, and the present research was situated in this knowledge gap, seeking, in particular, to explore the complexity of freshness in consumers' minds. People from the USA (n = 2092) took part in an online survey and completed a text highlighting task. Herein, participants read a text that described different aspects of freshness and the technologies used to prolong freshness during storage. While reading, they used highlighting functions within the software to indicate text content that they liked/disliked or agreed/disagreed with. The combined results from text highlighting and responses to the open-ended question "Considering the fruit you eat, why is freshness important to you?" confirmed that freshness is a complex construct with multiple dimensions and suggested that the complexity of freshness extends from food in general to specific product categories (in the case of fruit and apples). Further, the findings showed that freshness is desired by consumers because fruit are perceived as healthier and better tasting. The findings revealed negative attitudes towards stored fruit among participants, but also indicated some acceptance of the fact that some storage was unavoidable. Results provide useful insights to the development for communication strategies to increase consumer acceptance of stored apples and fruits in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R Jaeger
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, 120 Mt Albert Road, Private Bag 92169, Victoria Street West, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - 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
| | - 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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Jaeger SR, Chheang SL, Ares G. Using text highlighting in product research: Case study with kiwifruit in Singapore and Malaysia. Food Qual Prefer 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2022.104741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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14
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Ares G, Ryan GS, Jaeger SR. Text highlighting combined with open‐ended questions: A methodological extension. J SENS STUD 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/joss.12816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gastón Ares
- Sensometrics and Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química Universidad de la República Canelones Uruguay
| | - Grace S. Ryan
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited Auckland New Zealand
| | - Sara R. Jaeger
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited Auckland New Zealand
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15
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Ares G, Antúnez L, Curutchet MR, Galicia L, Natero V, Giménez A, Otterbring T. Qualitative exploration of the reasons for not using nutritional warnings after policy implementation in Uruguay. Health Promot Int 2023; 38:6974787. [PMID: 36617288 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daac174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Nutritional warnings have gained popularity, particularly in the region of the Americas, to facilitate the identification of products with excessive content of nutrients associated with non-communicable diseases and encourage healthier food choices. Although warnings have been shown to be effective, an in-depth understanding of the reasons why some consumers do not use them is still lacking. The aim of the present work was to explore self-reported use of nutritional warnings and to identify the reasons for not considering nutritional warnings for making food purchase decisions after policy implementation in Uruguay. A non-probabilistic sample of 858 Uruguayan participants was recruited using an advertisement on Facebook and Instagram. Through an online survey, self-reported use of nutritional warnings was asked using a closed-open ended questions. Participants who reported not considering warnings to make their purchase decisions were asked to explain the reasons why using an open-ended question. Responses were analysed using deductive coding, based on the Behavioural Drivers Model. Thirty seven percent of the participants stated that the warnings had not influenced their purchase decisions. Motives for not being influenced by the warnings were related to lack of interest, attitudes, lack of perceived self-efficacy, cognitive biases and limited rationality when making purchase decisions. In addition, structural barriers, such as availability, cost and trust in the food industry also emerged from participants' responses. Strategies to encourage the use of warnings should include communication campaigns and policies to address structural barriers related to the perceived availability and affordability of healthy foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gastón Ares
- Sensometrics and Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, By Pass de Rutas 8 y 101 s/n. C.P. 91000, Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
| | - Lucía Antúnez
- Sensometrics and Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, By Pass de Rutas 8 y 101 s/n. C.P. 91000, Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
| | | | - Luis Galicia
- Ministerio de Salud Pública, 18 de Julio 1892, CP 11200, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Virginia Natero
- Ministerio de Salud Pública, 18 de Julio 1892, CP 11200, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ana Giménez
- Sensometrics and Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, By Pass de Rutas 8 y 101 s/n. C.P. 91000, Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
| | - Tobias Otterbring
- Department of Management, School of Business and Law, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
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Ares G, Antúnez L, Curutchet MR, Giménez A. Warning labels as a policy tool to encourage healthier eating habits. Curr Opin Food Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cofs.2023.101011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
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Moura AF, Vidal L, Girona A, Ares G. Parenthood as a Window of Opportunity for Dietary Changes: Perspectives From Uruguayan Parents. Health Educ Behav 2023; 50:84-96. [PMID: 35112574 DOI: 10.1177/10901981221074912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Research on behavioral and social science has demonstrated that transitions throughout a person's life course, as the life event of becoming a parent, represent an opportunity for dietary changes. However, research in this area has been mostly restricted to developed European and North American countries and has shown ambiguous results. The present work aimed to gain an in-depth understanding on the changes in eating habits caused by the transition to parenthood and to explore factors influencing those changes in Uruguay, a Latin American country. Forty-two in-depth interviews with Uruguayan parents from diverse social-economic backgrounds were conducted. The narrations by the interviewees evidenced mostly positive changes during three stages in the transition: pregnancy, the first months with the baby, and the beginning of complementary feeding. Most informants perceived changes mainly in terms of increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, and pulses; increased consumption of homemade meals; and decreased consumption of ultra-processed foods, fast foods, and fried foods. Reasons for these changes included adaptation of meals to the child's needs and schedule, feeling of responsibility for the child's health, and willingness to be a good role model. Factors influencing changes in eating habits were identified in some levels of the socioecological model and included socioeconomic status; price of fruits, vegetables, and fish; low accessibility of good quality fish; perceived time pressure; father's low interest on healthy eating; social support; and access to nutrition information. Findings suggest that parenthood represents a window of opportunity for favorable changes in eating habits. However, barriers constraining those changes should be addressed by stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Gastón Ares
- Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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18
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Gugliucci V, Machín L, Alcaire F, Otterbring T, de León C, Natero V, Ares G. The content of Instagram posts featuring ultra-processed products through the lens of the heuristic-systematic model. Appetite 2023; 181:106393. [PMID: 36427563 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Digital marketing has seen a rapid rise in the last decade as a consequence of the increased popularity of social media. However, few studies so far have analyzed the prevalence and persuasive power of digital marketing of ultra-processed products. The present study aimed at: (i) analyzing the content of Instagram posts of ultra-processed products through the lens of the heuristic-systematic model, and (ii) evaluating the influence of the content of the posts on user interactions. A search for Instagram accounts of ultra-processed products was performed using a master list of products commercialized in the two most popular online supermarkets in Uruguay. For each of the identified Instagram accounts, all the content posted in a 6-month period was recorded (August 15th, 2020 to February 15th, 2021). The posts were analyzed using content analysis based on inductive coding, and gradient boosting models (GBMs) were used to address the second study objective. A total of 2178 Instagram posts promoting specific ultra-processed products or brands were identified. The posts included a diverse set of cues to trigger both systematic and heuristic processing. References to the pleasure derived from product consumption as well as health-related cues were most prevalent. The GBM showed that references to contests and raffles and invitations to interact encouraged users to engage with the posts through posting comments. Taken together, results stress the need to implement comprehensive regulatory approaches to reduce exposure to and the power of digital marketing of ultra-processed products given the harmful health-related consequences associated with excessive consumption of such products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Gugliucci
- Espacio Interdisciplinario, Universidad de la República, José Enrique Rodó 1843, CP 11200, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Leandro Machín
- Centro de Investigación Básica en Psicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Tristán Narvaja 1674, CP 11200, Montevideo, 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, Uruguay
| | - Tobias Otterbring
- School of Business and Law, Department of Management, University of Agder, Universitetsveien 17, 4630, Kristiansand, Norway; Institute of Retail Economics, Regeringsgatan 60, 103 29, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Virginia Natero
- Departamento de Alimentos, Escuela de Nutrición, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gastón Ares
- Centro de Investigación Básica en Psicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Tristán Narvaja 1674, CP 11200, Montevideo, Uruguay; 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, Uruguay.
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Folwarczny M, Otterbring T, Ares G. Sustainable food choices as an impression management strategy. Curr Opin Food Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cofs.2022.100969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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20
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Bonini A, Dellacassa E, Ares G, Daners G, Godoy A, Boido E, Fariña L. Fecal descriptor in honey: indole from a floral source as an explanation. J Sci Food Agric 2022; 102:6780-6785. [PMID: 35942662 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.12166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animal odor, is one of the most common aroma defects described in the honey odor aroma wheel. It comprises two secondary descriptors: 'fecal' and 'cowshed'. However, the compounds responsible for these honey defects have not been fully identified. In this context, the aim of this work was to identify the compounds responsible for the aromatic defect 'fecal' in Uruguayan honeys by means of gas chromatography coupled to olfactometry (GC-O). RESULTS Samples of honey described by beekeepers as having fecal aroma were analyzed by GC-O and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Through GC-O, it was possible to establish the region of the chromatogram corresponding to the fecal descriptor, while the GC-MS analysis allowed to identify indole as the compound responsible for the fecal descriptor. The content of indole in the analyzed samples ranged between 132 and 414 μg kg-1 . The melissopalynological analysis indicated the presence of Scutia buxifolia ('quebracho' or 'coronilla') pollen in all samples studied. The volatile profile of Scutia buxifolia flowers was evaluated during the full day, enabling the identification of indole as one of its components. The detection threshold value for indole in honey was experimentally determined as 64 μg kg-1 of honey, a value lower than the concentration found in the evaluated samples. CONCLUSION Results from the study allowed the identification of indole as the compound responsible for the 'fecal' aroma defect in Scutia buxifolia honeys. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Bonini
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología de Aromas, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Eduardo Dellacassa
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología de Aromas, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gastón Ares
- Área Sensometría y Ciencia del Consumidor, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gloria Daners
- Departamento de Paleontología, Instituto de Ciencias Geológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ana Godoy
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología de Aromas, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Eduardo Boido
- Área Enología y Biotecnología de Fermentaciones, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Laura Fariña
- Laboratorio de Biotecnología de Aromas, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Área Enología y Biotecnología de Fermentaciones, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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21
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Alcaire F, Vidal L, Machín L, Antúnez L, Giménez A, Curutchet MR, Ares G. Health-related cues on the packages of processed and ultra-processed products: prevalence and policy implications. Br J Nutr 2022:1-11. [PMID: 36205217 DOI: 10.1017/s000711452200318x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
The information included on food packages has a crucial role in influencing consumer product associations and purchase decisions. In particular, visual and textual cues on processed and ultra-processed products can convey health-related associations that influence consumer healthiness perception and purchase decisions. In this context, the present work aimed to explore the use of health-related cues on the packages of processed and ultra-processed products sold in Uruguay to provide insights for policy making. A total of 3813 products from thirty-four different food categories found in four of the most important supermarket chains in Uruguay were surveyed. The textual and visual information included on the packages as well as the nutritional composition of the products were analysed. Results showed that 67 % of the products included at least one health-related cue. Pictures of culinary ingredients, natural and minimally processed foods were the most frequent health-related cue, followed by references to naturalness and claims related to critical nutrients. The prevalence of health-related cues largely differed across product categories, ranging from 100 to 17 %. The relationship between the presence of health-related cues on the packages and the excessive content of nutrients associated with non-communicable diseases was assessed using a gradient boosting model, which showed limited predictive ability. This suggests that the inclusion of health-related cues on food packages was not strongly related to the nutritional composition of products and therefore cannot be regarded as a healthiness indicator. These results stress the need to develop stricter labelling regulations to protect consumers from misleading information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florencia Alcaire
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
| | - Leticia Vidal
- Sensometrics & 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
| | - Lucía Antúnez
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
| | - Ana Giménez
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
| | - María Rosa Curutchet
- Instituto Nacional de Alimentación, Ministerio de Desarrollo Social, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gastón Ares
- Sensometrics & 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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22
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Jaeger SR, Vidal L, Chheang SL, Ares G. Consumer conceptualisations of food-related wellbeing: An exploration of wellbeing-related terms in four industrialised countries. Appetite 2022; 179:106286. [PMID: 36038074 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Perceived (or subjective) wellbeing is regarded as key to understanding consumer food choices and the development of strategies to promote desirable eating habits. Yet, in-depth understanding of the specific factors that contribute to people's perceived wellbeing across cultures is lacking. These factors motivated the present research that used word associations to conduct an exploratory analysis of consumer conceptualisations of food-related wellbeing (WB). Adults (n = 4945) living in the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore or Germany, speaking respectively, English or German, took part in the study. Health, pleasure, food quality, positive emotions and social aspects of food consumption were the main associations with food-related wellbeing. Absence hereof was associated with unhealthiness, disgust, negative emotions and poor mental health. The differences in these main associations emphasised the importance of exploring wellbeing, as well as lack hereof. Not doing so leads to an incomplete understanding of this multidimensional construct. The research was conducted with four terms related to wellbeing (each in their positive and negative versions): 'sense of wellbeing' and 'lack of wellbeing', 'feeling good' and 'feeling bad/unhappy', 'satisfied with life' and 'dissatisfied with life' and 'fulfilled in life' and 'unfulfilled in life'. Because these different terms gave rise to different wellbeing associations, researchers in this area must choose their empirical approach with care. The terms 'sense of wellbeing' and 'feeling good' tended to more frequently give rise to health-related associations. Conversely, 'satisfied with life' and 'fulfilled in life' tended to more frequently give rise to positive spiritual and emotional associations of food-related wellbeing. The main conceptualisations of food-related wellbeing were cross-culturally similar, but extension of the present research to other Asian countries was recommended based on several differences between Singaporean participants and those from other countries. In ethnically diverse countries like Singapore, further within-country investigations of different cultures also have merit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R Jaeger
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, 120 Mt Albert Road, Private Bag, 92169, Victoria Street West, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - 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
| | - Sok L Chheang
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, 120 Mt Albert Road, Private Bag, 92169, Victoria Street West, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - 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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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. J Nutr Educ Behav 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Galler M, Grendstad ÅR, Ares G, Varela P. Capturing food-elicited emotions: Facial decoding of children’s implicit and explicit responses to tasted samples. Food Qual Prefer 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2022.104551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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de Alcantara M, Ares G, Deliza R. How Do Nutritional Warnings Work on Commercial Products? Results From a Hypothetical Choice Experiment. Front Nutr 2022; 9:921515. [PMID: 35782918 PMCID: PMC9244539 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.921515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A large body of evidence assessing the effectiveness of front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labeling exists. Most experimental studies have been conducted with fictitious products. However, consumers' perception depends on several products extrinsic factors such as brand. Understanding how strong brand associations influence the effectiveness of FOP nutrition labeling schemes may be crucial to informing policymaking. In this context, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of five different variants of nutritional warnings labels (black magnifier, red magnifier, black octagon, black triangle, and red circle) on consumers' choice of commercial products, compared with two FOP nutrition labeling schemes: the guidelines daily amounts (GDAs) system and the traffic light system (TLS). An online randomized controlled trial with 1,932 participants was used to evaluate the effect of FOP nutrition labeling on participants' choices in eight sets of three commercial products, available in the Brazilian marketplace. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to evaluate the influence of FOP nutrition labeling on participants' likelihood of selecting the different products in the choice task. Results showed that nutritional warnings and the TLS significantly increased the likelihood of selecting none of the products instead of the least healthful product, or a healthier product, in at least one of the product categories compared with the GDA. Warnings tended to have a larger effect, suggesting their potential to encourage healthier food choices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gastón Ares
- Sensometrics and Consumer Science, Facultad de Química, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Universidad de la República, Pando, Uruguay
| | - Rosires Deliza
- Embrapa Agroindústria de Alimentos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Ares G, Antúnez L, de León C, Alcaire F, Vidal L, Natero V, Otterbring T. 'Even if you don't pay attention to it, you know it's there': A qualitative exploration of adolescents' experiences with digital food marketing. Appetite 2022; 176:106128. [PMID: 35718311 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to digital food marketing. However, research on adolescents' recall, awareness, and opinions of this type of marketing is still scarce. Accordingly, the present study aimed to conduct an in-depth examination of adolescents' experiences with digital food marketing. A convenience sample of 209 adolescents was recruited at two private educational institutions and a public health facility in Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay. Semi-structured group interviews were conducted, recorded in audio and transcribed. The transcripts were analyzed using content analysis based on a deductive-inductive approach. Results showed that participants were highly exposed to digital food marketing, as they all remembered having seen advertisements, with those of fast-food restaurants and food-ordering apps being the most frequently mentioned. According to the adolescents' accounts, images, colors, music, oversized portions, product novelty, price promotions and celebrities were the most memorable aspects of food advertisements. Participants recognized the effect of advertisements on product awareness and wanting, and, to a lesser extent, on actual purchase and consumption behavior. Factors that were thought to mediate the impact of digital marketing on food choice were also identified. In the final part of the interviews, participants proposed strategies to reduce the effect of digital marketing on their food choices, which included both regulatory approaches to reduce exposure to digital marketing of unhealthy foods and behavior change communication. Together, the current findings provide insights for the development of multifaceted strategies to reduce the effects of digital food marketing on the eating habits of adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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.
| | - 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
| | - 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
| | - Virginia Natero
- Departamento de Alimentos, Escuela de Nutrición, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Tobias Otterbring
- School of Business and Law, Department of Management, University of Agder, Universitetsveien 17, 4630 Kristiansand, Norway; Institute of Retail Economics, Regeringsgatan 60, 103 29, Stockholm, Sweden
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Jaeger SR, Ryan GS, Jin D, Ares G. Comparison of variants of the valence × arousal circumplex-inspired emotion word questionnaire. Food Qual Prefer 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2021.104504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Velázquez AL, Vidal L, Varela P, Ares G. Can children use the A‐not a test? J SENS STUD 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/joss.12749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Laura Velázquez
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química Universidad de la República Pando Canelones Uruguay
- Graduate Program in Chemistry, Facultad de Química Universidad de la República Pando Uruguay
| | - Leticia Vidal
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química Universidad de la República Pando Canelones Uruguay
| | | | - Gastón Ares
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química Universidad de la República Pando Canelones Uruguay
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Galler M, Myhrer KS, Ares G, Varela P. Listening to children voices in early stages of new product development through co-creation – Creative focus group and online platform. Food Res Int 2022; 154:111000. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Vidal L, Ares G, Jaeger SR. Biterm topic modelling of responses to open-ended questions: A study with US consumers about vertical farming. Food Qual Prefer 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2022.104611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Galler M, Mikkelsen E, Næs T, Liland KH, Ares G, Varela P. Children’s sweet tooth: Explicit ratings vs. Implicit bias measured by the Approach avoidance task (AAT). Food Qual Prefer 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2021.104416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Velázquez AL, Galler M, Vidal L, Varela P, Ares G. Co-creation of a healthy dairy product with and for children. Food Qual Prefer 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2021.104414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Antúnez L, Vidal L, Giménez A, Curutchet MR, Ares G. Age, time orientation and risk perception are major determinants of discretionary salt usage. Appetite 2022; 171:105924. [PMID: 35031381 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.105924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The present work explored the relationship between discretionary salt usage and personal characteristics, using boosted regression trees (BRT). Specifically, the focus was on how socio-demographic characteristics and personality traits linked to risk perception and time orientation impact on discretionary salt consumption patterns. For this purpose, an online cross-sectional survey with a convenience sample of 498 Uruguayan participants was carried out. Participants completed the consideration of future consequences (CFC) scale adapted for eating behaviour, a short survey about discretionary salt consumption patterns and indicated their degree of agreement with statements measuring perceived risk of sodium consumption. Finally, socio-demographic data were collected. BRT were applied to build predictive models that related discretionary salt usage to socio-demographic characteristics, the two factors of the CFC-Food scale (consideration of the future and consideration of the immediate consequences of eating behaviour), and the two factors of the perceived risk of sodium consumption scale (severity of perceived risks and risk compensation). Age, time orientation and perceived risk were the most relevant explanatory variables for discretionary salt usage. Older people had a lower likelihood of adding salt to food, either at home or when eating out. In addition, individuals who tend to be present rather than future oriented, as well as those with low perception of risk severity and susceptibility were more likely to add salt to foods. Results from the present work suggest that communication campaigns to reduce discretionary salt intake should mainly focus on stressing the short-term health benefits of reducing sodium intake and raising perceived susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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.
| | - 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
| | - Ana Giménez
- 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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35
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Ferro C, Ares G, Aschemann-Witzel J, Curutchet MR, Giménez A. "I don't throw away food, unless I see that it's not fit for consumption": An in-depth exploration of household food waste in Uruguay. Food Res Int 2022; 151:110861. [PMID: 34980397 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Significant reductions in household food waste have been regarded as a key step towards achieving global sustainable development. Household food waste is a complex phenomenon determined by consumer behavior along the steps of the "food journey" that goes from purchasing to final disposal. Although avoiding food waste is socially desirable and raises positive attitudes, consumers do not frequently engage in avoidance behaviors. The objectives of the present work were: i) to explore the views of Uruguayan citizens on household food waste, and ii) to identify drivers of food waste among Uruguayan households. A total of 20 in-depth interviews based on a semi-structured guide were conducted by telephone. Participants were asked to recall and describe the last time they discarded food, as well as to describe the most common food waste situations in their household, the most commonly used strategies to avoid food waste and how they could reduce it. The transcripts were analyzed using content analysis based on a deductive-inductive approach. Interviews revealed that most of the participants perceived food waste in their homes as null or low, whereas food waste in the country was regarded as high. When participants described food waste incidents, they perceived it as 'unavoidable', suggesting that they tended to find a rational explanation outside of their will to justify their behavior. Participants' discourses enabled the identification of drivers related to behavioral factors, personal factors, product factors, and contextual factors. Results stress that most promising entry points for communication campaigns and intervention programs to reduce household food waste should focus on behavioral factors, planning throughout all the household stages of the food journey and the provision of knowledge and skills on food storage, handling, and preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Ferro
- Espacio Interdisciplinario, Universidad de la República, José Enrique Rodó 1843, CP 11200 Montevideo, 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
| | - Jessica Aschemann-Witzel
- MAPP Centre - Research on Value Creation in the Food Sector, Aarhus University, Fuglesangsalle 4, 8210 Aarhus V, Denmark
| | - María Rosa Curutchet
- Instituto Nacional de Alimentación, Ministerio de Desarrollo Social, Piedras 165, CP 1100 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ana Giménez
- 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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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- Gastón Ares
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República Canelones Uruguay
| | - Sara R. Jaeger
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited Auckland New Zealand
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Ares G, Ha B, Jaeger SR. Consumer attitudes to vertical farming (indoor plant factory with artificial lighting) in China, Singapore, UK, and USA: A multi-method study. Food Res Int 2021; 150:110811. [PMID: 34863501 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Major changes are needed both with regard to what we eat and how food is produced. The latter is the focus of the present research, specifically the rise of controlled environment agriculture. In this context, empirical research is presented on consumer attitudes to vertical farming (VF) (i.e., indoor plant factory with artificial lighting), conducted in four countries (USA, UK, Singapore, and China) using online surveys (637-683 participants per country with matched gender and age group distributions). A multi-method research approach was used, including a novel methodology of text highlighting, which requires that participants read a descriptive text about VF with mentions of pros and cons and use highlighter functions to select aspects of the text that they 'like' and 'dislike'. Based on the information provided in the text, attitudes towards VF were largely positive in the four countries. The characteristics of VF that aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals were identified as key drivers of positive attitudes (i.e., higher yield, reduction of carbon emissions, and securing access to food). On the other hand, high energy use and premium prices contributed to negative attitudes about VF. Although the majority of participants responded to the text with an overall positive attitude towards VF, there were smaller groups of participants in every country who expressed a negative or neutral/ambivalent attitude. These between-segment differences were larger than cross-cultural differences, although the latter did exist, particularly for selected aspects of VF. For example, Chinese participants tended to be the least negative about the use of robots to help planting and harvesting. Future research is needed to understand consumer responses to aspects VF not covered in the text (e.g., powering VF with renewable energy, product range), and consumer insights about VF should be sought in other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - Birgit Ha
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, 120 Mt Albert Road, Private Bag 92169, Victoria Street West, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sara R Jaeger
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, 120 Mt Albert Road, Private Bag 92169, Victoria Street West, Auckland, New Zealand.
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Velázquez AL, Alcaire F, Vidal L, Varela P, Næs T, Ares G. The influence of label information on the snacks parents choose for their children: Individual differences in a choice based conjoint test. Food Qual Prefer 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2021.104296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Vidal L, Brunet G, Bove I, Girona A, Fuletti D, Ares G. Parents’ mental associations with ultra-processed products for their infant children: Insights to improve complementary feeding practices. Food Qual Prefer 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2021.104335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Brunet G, Girona A, Fajardo G, Iragola V, Machín L, Bove I, Ares G. The contributions of civil society to food security in the context of COVID-19: a qualitative exploration in Uruguay. Public Health Nutr 2021; 24:5524-5533. [PMID: 34392866 PMCID: PMC8438349 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980021003463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore and analyse the actions implemented by civil society to contribute to food security in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak in Uruguay, a high-income country in South America. DESIGN An exploratory systematic approach was used to identify the contributions of civil society to food security through reports in news websites and Facebook posts. Data were analysed based on content analysis following a deductive-inductive approach. SETTING Uruguay, Latin America. RESULTS A total of 1220 civil society organisations were identified, which developed two main actions to increase access to food among the Uruguayan population: food baskets and 'community pots' (also known as 'common pots'). Most of the initiatives targeted citizens under socioeconomic vulnerability in the face of COVID-19, without specifying any specific requirement or population segment. Actions were mainly led by spontaneously organised community groups, and, to a lesser extent, by consolidated organisations. Interactions between organisations were identified. The foods provided by the organisations were mostly aligned with national dietary guidelines. Social media posts evidenced that the main challenge faced by organisations was related to the lack of funds or supplies. CONCLUSIONS Results from this work suggest that the lack of funds or supplies poses challenges to the medium- and long-term contributions of civil society to food security and stresses the need for comprehensive governmental measures to guarantee food security amongst Uruguayan citizens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerónimo Brunet
- Núcleo Interdisciplinario Alimentación y Bienestar, Espacio Interdisciplinario, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alejandra Girona
- Núcleo Interdisciplinario Alimentación y Bienestar, Espacio Interdisciplinario, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Escuela de Nutrición, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Gabriela Fajardo
- Escuela de Nutrición, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Valentina Iragola
- Núcleo Interdisciplinario Alimentación y Bienestar, Espacio Interdisciplinario, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Leandro Machín
- Núcleo Interdisciplinario Alimentación y Bienestar, Espacio Interdisciplinario, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Centro de Investigación Básica en Psicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Gastón Ares
- Núcleo Interdisciplinario Alimentación y Bienestar, Espacio Interdisciplinario, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República, Canelones, Uruguay
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Jaeger SR, Vidal L, Ares G, Chheang SL, Spinelli S. Healthier eating: Covid-19 disruption as a catalyst for positive change. Food Qual Prefer 2021; 92:104220. [PMID: 36567730 PMCID: PMC9759298 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2021.104220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Healthy and sustainable diets are necessary for global development goals, but people struggle to modify their eating behaviours which are often habitual and resistant to change. However, disruption can provide the impetus for change, and in the present research we view the Covid-19 pandemic as a potential catalytic disruption with the potential to induce positive behaviour change. Data were obtained from ~900 USA adults, of which 44% self-reported to have made positive dietary change/s. Those who did so tended to be younger rather than older and with higher educational attainment. They also were less food neophobic than people who did not make positive change/s and placed greater importance on health as a motive of daily decisions about what to eat and drink. The contribution of psychographic variables in differentiating between groups of people who did / did not make positive changes once again show their importance in uncovering and explaining the complex factors that motivate food-related consumer behaviour. It seems this holds also when daily lives are disrupted by unforeseen events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R. Jaeger
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, 120 Mt Albert Road, Private Bag 92169, Victoria Street West, Auckland, New Zealand,Corresponding author
| | - 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
| | - 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
| | - Sok L. Chheang
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, 120 Mt Albert Road, Private Bag 92169, Victoria Street West, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sara Spinelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), via Donizetti 6, University of Florence, Italy
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Vidal L, Brunet G, Curutchet MR, Girona A, Pardiñas V, Guerra D, Platero E, Machado L, González F, Gugliucci V, Ares G. Is COVID-19 a threat or an opportunity for healthy eating? An exploration of the factors that moderate the impact of the pandemic on eating habits in Uruguay. Appetite 2021; 167:105651. [PMID: 34400222 PMCID: PMC8990784 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2021.105651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In May 2020, Uruguay was one of the few Latin American countries that had managed to control the outbreak of COVID-19 without mandatory curfews or quarantines. However, several social distancing measures created a major disruption in different aspects of the daily life of Uruguayan citizens. In this context, the objectives of the present work were i) to identify changes in eating habits perceived by Uruguayan citizens as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, and ii) to explore factors associated with different perceived changes on eating habits. A cross-sectional online study was conducted with 891 participants, recruited using an advertisement on Facebook and Instagram. Fifty-one percent of the participants indicated that their eating habits had changed since the detection of the first cases of COVID-19 in Uruguay. Large heterogeneity in the categorization of the changes existed: 45% of the participants regarded the changes as positive, 32% as negative and 23% as neither positive nor negative. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to study the influence of explanatory variables in the likelihood of belonging to groups who reported different changes in eating habits (no changes, positive, negative, or neither positive nor negative changes). Household income and reliance on instrumental and emotional support increased the likelihood of reporting positive changes in eating habits, whereas negative changes were associated with a reduction in household income due to COVID-19 and the coping strategies self-distraction and self-blaming. Insights for policy making to reinforce positive effects and minimize threats to healthy eating are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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.
| | - Gerónimo Brunet
- Espacio Interdisciplinario, Universidad de La República, José Enrique Rodó 1843, CP 11200, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Rosa Curutchet
- Instituto Nacional de Alimentación, Ministerio de Desarrollo Social, Piedras 165, CP 11000, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alejandra Girona
- Departamento de Nutrición Básica, Escuela de Nutrición, Universidad de La República, Av. Américo Ricaldoni S/n, CP 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Valeria Pardiñas
- Instituto Nacional de Alimentación, Ministerio de Desarrollo Social, Piedras 165, CP 11000, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Daniella Guerra
- Instituto Nacional de Alimentación, Ministerio de Desarrollo Social, Piedras 165, CP 11000, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Estefanía Platero
- Instituto Nacional de Alimentación, Ministerio de Desarrollo Social, Piedras 165, CP 11000, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lucía Machado
- Instituto Nacional de Alimentación, Ministerio de Desarrollo Social, Piedras 165, CP 11000, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Fernanda González
- Instituto Nacional de Alimentación, Ministerio de Desarrollo Social, Piedras 165, CP 11000, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Vanessa Gugliucci
- Espacio Interdisciplinario, Universidad de La República, José Enrique Rodó 1843, CP 11200, Montevideo, 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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Ares G, Vidal L, Jaeger SR. How do consumers use emoji in a food‐related context? Insights for the design and interpretation of emoji questionnaires. J SENS STUD 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/joss.12663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gastón Ares
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República Canelones Uruguay
| | - Leticia Vidal
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República Canelones Uruguay
| | - Sara R. Jaeger
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited Auckland New Zealand
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Vidal L, Ares G, Jaeger SR. Differences in citation proportions in
CATA
questions can be interpreted as differences perceived intensity of sensory attributes. J SENS STUD 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/joss.12695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Vidal
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química Universidad de la República Canelones Uruguay
| | - Gastón Ares
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química Universidad de la República Canelones Uruguay
| | - Sara R. Jaeger
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited Auckland New Zealand
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Lado J, Vicente E, Moltini AI, Alcaire F, Ares G. Integrating consumer perception in the selection of purple-skin sweet potato cultivars. J Sci Food Agric 2021; 101:3620-3629. [PMID: 33275810 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.10991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sweet-potato breeding programs need to integrate sensory characterization and hedonic perception to provide global markets with widely accepted products. The present work aimed to characterize a series of purple-skin sweet potatoes differing in flesh coloration (from pale yellow to slight orange) from a sensory and physicochemical perspective. Uruguayan consumers' perceptions of the genotypes were also explored. Special focus was placed on the influence of flesh color on consumers' expectations and hedonic perception of purple-skin sweet potatoes. RESULTS Sensory characterization based on projective mapping showed that the evaluated genotypes largely differed in their sensory characteristics in terms of flavor, texture, and color. Soluble solids and the concentration of individual sugars were not good predictors of sensory quality. In the appearance evaluation, consumers associated orange flesh with positive expected sensory characteristics and stronger liking. Flavor (sweetness and typical flavor) and texture (creaminess) were identified as key characteristics influencing consumers' liking and description of sweet-potato samples. Among purple-skin ('criollo or boniato' type) genotypes, INIA Cambará was identified as the closest to the ideal sweet potato and was described with the terms sweet, tasty, creamy, and characteristic flavor. CONCLUSION Flesh color was identified as a key driver of consumers' sensory and hedonic expectations. Results showed that Uruguayan consumers positively value traditional purple-skin sweet potatoes with orange flesh, as it drives positive sensory expectations. However, after tasting, flesh color does not seem to have a relevant influence on consumer liking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Lado
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, INIA Salto Grande, Plataforma de Agroalimentos, Salto, Uruguay
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, INIA Salto Grande, Programa Nacional de Investigación en Producción Hortícola, Salto, Uruguay
| | - Esteban Vicente
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, INIA Salto Grande, Programa Nacional de Investigación en Producción Hortícola, Salto, Uruguay
| | - Ana Inés Moltini
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, INIA Salto Grande, Plataforma de Agroalimentos, Salto, Uruguay
| | - Florencia Alcaire
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República. Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
| | - Gastón Ares
- Sensometrics & Consumer Science, Instituto Polo Tecnológico de Pando, Facultad de Química, Universidad de la República. Pando, Canelones, Uruguay
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