How do consumer characteristics influence responses to nutritional warnings?

ABSTRACT The aim of the present work was to explore the influence of consumer characteristics on purchase decisions when facing products with nutritional warnings a few days after their implementation in Uruguay. A non-probabilistic sample of 917 participants was obtained using an advertisement on social media. Participants were asked if they had seen the warning signs when making their food purchases and if they had seen the warnings on any product they intended to buy. Participants who answered affirmately (n= 616) were asked about their purchase decision by answering the question "What have you done with the product?" using the following response options: 'I purchased it anyway', 'I purchased a similar product with fewer excess signs', 'I purchased a similar product without excess signs', 'I didn't purchase the product or any similar one'. Univariate and multivariate multinomial logistic regression models were used to explore the influence of individual variables on participants' likelihood of having taken different decisions when facing a product with warnings. Results showed that participants older than 55 years were more likely to react to the warnings by purchasing a similar product with fewer warnings or by not purchasing any product. Likelihood of modifying purchase decisions due to the inclusion of the warnings was associated with a frequent consumption of natural and minimally processed foods and a low consumption frequency of ultra-processed products. These results provide insights to target efforts to promote the use of nutritional warnings in decision making.

RESUMEN El objetivo del presente trabajo fue explorar la influencia de caraterísticas de los consumidores en sus decisiones de compra al enfrentar productos con advertencias nutricionales, unos días después de su implementación en Uruguay. Se obtuvo una muestra no probabilística de 917 participantes utilizando redes sociales. Se les preguntó a los participantes si habían visto las advertencias en un producto que tenían la intención de comprar. A los participantes que respondieron afirmativamente (n= 616) se les pidió qué indicarn qué habían hecho con el producto, utilizando las siguientes opciones de respuesta: 'Lo compré igual', 'Compré un producto similar con menos símbolos de exceso', 'Compré un producto similar sín símbolos de exceso' y 'No compré el producto ni tampoco otro similar. Los datos se analizaron utilizaron modelos de regresión multinomial univariados y multivariados. Los participantes mayores de 55 años presentaron una mayor probabilidad de reaccionar a las advertencias no comprando el producto. La probabilidad de modificar la decisión de compra debido a las advertencias estuvo asociada con una mayor frecuencia de consumo de alimentos naturales y mínimamente procesados y una menor frecuencia de consumo de productos ultra-procesados. Los resultados del presente trabajo sugieren que los esfuerzos para promover el uso de las advertencias en la toma de decisiones deben estar focalizados en los ciudadanos con el mayor consumo de productos ultra-procesados.

Argumentos de la industria alimentaria en contra del etiquetado frontal de advertencias nutricionales en Uruguay / Food industry arguments against front-of-package nutrition labels in Uruguay / Argumentos da indústria alimentícia contra a rotulagem frontal de advertência nutricional no Uruguai

RESUMEN Objetivo. Identificar los argumentos de la industria alimentaria en contra del etiquetado frontal de advertenciasnutricionales en Uruguay. Métodos. Se realizó un análisis de contenido de los comentarios de la industria alimentaria recibidos durante la consulta pública implementada durante el proceso de diseño del decreto que reglamenta la inclusión de rotulación nutricional frontal basada en advertencias en Uruguay mediante una codificación inductiva. Resultados. La mayoría de los comentarios manifestaron la preocupación por la elevada prevalencia de obesidad y enfermedades no transmisibles en el país y destacaron el compromiso con la implementación de acciones que contribuyan a combatir esta problemática de salud. Sin embargo, 81% de los comentarios planteó desacuerdo con la propuesta de decreto elevada a consulta pública y realizó críticas generales sobre su validez. El contenido de los comentarios se relacionó con siete dimensiones: falta de justificación de la medida, violación de compromisos internacionales, críticas al sistema de advertencias, discriminación a alimentos industrializados envasados, críticas al modelo de perfil de nutrientes, otras críticas a aspectos específicos del proyecto de decreto y efectos económicos negativos. En cada dimensión se discute la pertinencia y consistencia técnica y normativa de los contenidos vertidos por los representantes de la industria. Conclusiones. Bajo un aparente acuerdo con la necesidad de adoptar medidas, se evidenció, sin embargo, una fuerte oposición a la política y en particular al sistema de advertencias por parte de la industria alimentaria. Los resultados del análisis aportan insumos para facilitar el proceso de implementación de regulaciones similares en otros países.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective. To identify the food industry's arguments against front-of-package nutrition labels in Uruguay. Methods. Content analysis and inductive coding were applied to the comments made by the food industry during the public consultation on the draft decree regulating the inclusion of front-of-package nutrition labels (warnings) in Uruguay. Results. Most of the comments expressed concern about the high prevalence of obesity and noncommunicable diseases in the country and emphasized a commitment to implementing actions to help combat these health problems. However, 81% of the comments disagreed with the draft decree presented for public consultation; these included general criticisms of its validity. The content of the comments related to seven areas: lack of rationale for the measure; violation of international commitments; criticisms of the warning system; discrimination against industrialized packaged food; criticisms of the nutrient profile model; other criticisms of aspects specific to the draft decree; and adverse economic effects. For each area, there is discussion of the technical and normative relevance and consistency of the content presented by the industry representatives. Conclusions. Despite apparent agreement about the need to adopt measures, it is clear that the food industry is strongly opposed to the policy and, in particular, to the warning system. The results of this analysis may help to facilitate the process of implementing similar regulations in other countries.(AU)

RESUMO Objetivo. Identificar os argumentos da indústria alimentícia contra a rotulagem frontal de advertência nutricional no Uruguai. Métodos. Realizou-se uma análise do conteúdo dos comentários de representantes da indústria alimentícia obtidos em uma consulta pública conduzida no Uruguai durante o processo de elaboração do decreto para regulamentar a inclusão de rotulagem frontal de advertência nutricional com uso de códigos indutivos. Resultados. Os comentários, na sua maioria, revelaram preocupação com a alta prevalência de obesidade e doenças crônicas não transmissíveis no país e destacaram o compromisso com a implementação de ações para combater estes problemas de saúde. No entanto, verificou-se que, em 81% dos comentários, os participantes discordavam da proposta do decreto apresentada na consulta pública e teceram críticas gerais quanto à sua validade. Observaram-se sete dimensões distintas no conteúdo dos comentários: falta de justificação da medida, descumprimento de compromissos internacionais, críticas ao sistema de advertência, discriminação de alimentos industrializados em embalagens, críticas ao modelo de perfil nutricional, outras críticas relativas a aspectos específicos do projeto do decreto e repercussão econômica negativa. Para cada dimensão, foram discutidas a relevância e a coerência técnica e normativa do conteúdo dos comentários feitos pelos representantes da indústria. Conclusões. Apesar de uma suposta concordância quanto à necessidade de adotar medidas, observou-se uma firme oposição da indústria alimentícia à política e, em particular, ao sistema de advertência nutricional propostos. Os resultados desta análise servem para facilitar o processo de implementação de regulamentações semelhantes em outros países.(AU)

Trends in Early Growth Indices in the First 24 Months of Life in Uruguay over the Past Decade.

Early growth is an important indicator of health and wellbeing of children and a good predictor of adult health. The objective of this study was to examine trends and determinants of overweight and stunting among infants aged 0 to 23 month(s) over the past decade (1999-2011) in Uruguay. Data were used from four large representative samples of 11,056 infants aged 0-23 month(s), who attended public and private health services in 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011, using a similar methodology. Linear regression analysis was used for assessing trends in early growth indices and binary logistic regression to estimate the probability of being stunted and overweight. Although prevalence of overweight fell from 12.5% (1999) to 9.5% (2011) and stunting from 13.6% to 10.9% respectively, both rates remained higher than expected. Low birthweight (LBW) was the main predictor of stunting [OR 6.5 (5.6-7.6)] and macrosomia of overweight [6.7 (5.3-8.3)]. We did not observe changes in LBW (7.8-8.8%) or macrosomia (5.9-6.7%) over the last decade. Boys showed increased chance of being overweight [OR 1.2 (1.04-1.3)]. Being stunted doubles the chances of being overweight [OR 2.5 (2.2-3.0)]. Overweight [OR 7.1 (6.1-8.3)], LBW [OR 13.2 (11.0-15.9)], and nonbreastfed infants [OR 1.9 (1.7-2.1)] showed rapid weight gain. Uruguay has taken positive steps to decline the prevalence of stunting and overweight but both remain excessively high.

Buenas prácticas de alimentación del niño/a de 6 a 24 meses: del enfoque científico a la práctica cotidiana: aportes para la acción / Good practices of child feeding from 6 to 24 month: from scientific approach to routine practice

Este documento recoge las prácticas de alimentación complementaria desarrolladas por las madres y padres en su rutina diaria. A la luz del conocimiento científico vigente al día de hoy, presenta sugerencias para que el apoyo que se brinde a las familias responda a los problemas identificados y resulte viable y efectivo. Elaborado en el marco del Proyecto Fortalecimiento Nutricional y Desarrollo de Proyectos de Vida.