The relationship between income, weight, and using traffic-light labeling to buy processed food in Ecuador.

This paper presents an investigation of the factors influencing the decision to purchase processed food based on traffic-light labeling (TLL). To achieve this, we use data from the official National Survey of Health and Nutrition, which gathered information on 26,532 individuals aged between 19 and 59 between 2011 and 2013. Employing a probit regression to assess the likelihood of buying food based on TLL, we identify a positive association between income level and the probability of buying food based on TLL; indeed, our model suggests that a 1% increase in monthly income increases by 0.008 the probability of buying food based on TLL. We infer that people with higher levels of income are more aware of the benefits of TLL and healthy food habits. Our results also suggest that the probability of basing purchasing decisions on TLL is higher for overweight people compared to those of normal weight, that is, overweight people buy their processed food paying more attention to TLL compared to normal weight people.

[Nutritional labeling and amino acid profile in high protein Chilean dairy products: a new alternative for health and sports]. / Etiquetado nutricional y perfil de aminoácidos en lácteos chilenos altos en proteína: nueva alternativa para la salud y el deporte.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: protein is an essential nutrient that can be obtained through different food sources. In recent years, a growing development in the food industry of dairy products with higher protein content has emerged in the national market. Métodos: the present work analyzed the nutritional information, protein content, and amino acid profile of high protein yogurts. Five main brands of high-protein yogurt (PY) were selected, as was a sample of regular yogurt (RY), and one of whey protein isolate (WP), which underwent a proximal analysis and amino acid profile by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: it was observed that the protein content of the analyzed YP ranged between 7.2 and 15.1 g/portion, representing 6.8 % to 11 % of total content, twice the content of YBAT (3,4 %). Regarding carbohydrates and fats, these were found to range between 6.25 and 13.5 g/serving and 0.9 and 5.3 g/serving, respectively. Leucine content of the PY varied between 0.6 and 1.5 g/portion, which was higher than RY (0.3 g/portion) and lower than WP (2.2 g/portion). The sum of essential amino acids was found to be between 3 and 6.9 g/portion in PY, 1.7 g/serving y 8.5 g/serving in WP. Conclusion: these results show that PYs are a good alternative to promote a correct protein intake, similar to proteins for sports use, so their recommendation could be useful to promote consumption in different populations according to their needs.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la proteína es un nutriente esencial que se puede obtener a través de diferentes fuentes alimentarias . En los últimos años, un creciente desarrollo de la industria alimentaria de productos lácteos con mayor aporte en proteínas ha surgido en el mercado nacional. Métodos: el presente trabajo analizó la información nutricional, el contenido proteico y el perfil de aminoácidos de una serie de yogures altos en proteína. Se seleccionaron 5 principales marcas de yogures altos en proteína (YP), una muestra de yogur batido (YBAT) y una de proteina de suero de leche aislado (WP) a las que se realizó un análisis proximal y un perfil de aminoácidos por cromatografía líquida de alto rendimiento (HPLC). Resultados: se pudo observar que el contenido de proteína de los YP analizados varió entre 7,2-15,1 g/porción, lo que representa del 6,8 al 11 % del contenido total, el doble del contenido del YBAT (3,4 %). Respecto a los hidratos de carbono y grasas, estos se encontraron entre 6,25 y 13,5 g/porción y 0,9 y 5,3 g/porción, respectivamente. El contenido de leucina de los YP varió entre 0,6 y 1,5 g/porción, con valores superiores a los de los YBAT (0,3 g/porción) e inferiores a los de las WP (2,2 g/porción). La suma de aminoácidos esenciales se encontró entre 3 y 6,9 g/porción en los YP, en 1,7 g/porción en los YBAT y 8,5 g/porción en las WP. Conclusión: estos resultados demuestran que los YP son una buena alternativa para promover una correcta ingesta proteica, semejante a las proteínas de uso deportivo, por lo que su recomendación podría ser útil para promover su consumo en diferentes poblaciones según sus necesidades.

Evaluation of the effect of label attributes over the purchase intention of a cashew nut functional beverage using conjoint analysis.

The package label is an important factor to be evaluated, for constituting the first contact of the product with the consumer, which may exert influence on the purchase intention. Thus, this study identified and evaluated the importance of front label attributes of a new functional beverage made from cashew nut added with mango juice on consumers' purchase intention; it also evaluated the influence of consumers' attitudinal issues regarding functional foods on the importance of these attributes to the attitude of buying the beverage. Focus group methodology was used to assess which front label attributes of the product are important in the choosing process. The combination of attributes and their levels was used to develop 18 labels, which were analyzed by consumers in relation to their buying intention. The results were analyzed by conjoint and cluster analysis. The most relevant qualitative information on the purchase intention process of the cashew nut beverage highlighted by the focus groups were the illustration, the nutritional information (0% lactose and 0% cholesterol), and the term "prebiotic" with its functional claim. According to the conjoint analysis, the illustration was the attribute with more influence on the consumers' purchase intention concerning this product, revealing the consumers' preference for the image of the cashew nut standing alone on the label. Nutritional information and the term prebiotic and its functional claim had a positive impact, but were considered of low importance. Regarding the attitudinal factors involving functional foods there was no significant difference among the three groups of consumers.

Nutrition Label Use Is Related to Chronic Conditions among Mexicans: Data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2016.

BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, can be prevented and treated through a balanced nutrient-rich diet. Nutrition labels have been recognized as crucial to preventing obesity and non-communicable diseases through a healthier diet. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to examine the association between nutrition label use and chronic conditions (overweight, obesity, previously diagnosed diabetes, and hypertension) among an adult Mexican population. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study that used data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey of 2016 (ENSANUT MC 2016). PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: The participants were 5,013 adults aged 20 to 70 years old. Older adults (>70 years), illiterate participants, pregnant women, and participants with implausible blood pressure data were excluded from the sample. The survey was conducted from May to August 2016 in the participants' households. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We measured chronic conditions (overweight, obesity, previously diagnosed diabetes, and hypertension). STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Pearson χ2 test was used to examine the associations among the use of nutrition labels and sociodemographic characteristics and chronic conditions. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the association between nutrition label use and chronic conditions adjusting for the effect of confounding variables like sex, age, body mass index, education level, marital status, ethnicity, residence area, region, and socioeconomic status. RESULTS: From the total sample, 40.9% (95% CI 38.4% to 43.8%) reported using nutrition labeling. Respondents with overweight or obesity were less likely to use nutrition labels (odds ratio 0.74; P<0.05). Participants who self-reported diabetes had significantly lower odds of nutrition label use than participants who did not report to have diabetes (odds ratio 0.66; P<0.05). Participants having 3 chronic conditions had lower odds of nutrition label use (odds ratio 0.34; P<0.01) relative to having zero chronic conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests an association between nutrition label use and chronic conditions (obesity and diabetes). These findings demonstrate that people with obesity, diabetes, and a combination of chronic conditions were less likely to use nutrition labels than people without these conditions.

Conflicting Messages on Food and Beverage Packages: Front-of-Package Nutritional Labeling, Health and Nutrition Claims in Brazil.

We assessed the prevalence of front-of-package (FoP) claims in the Brazilian packaged food supply and examined whether foods with claims were more likely to be high in critical nutrients. Using data from a random 30% subsample of 11,434 foods and beverages collected in the five largest food retailers in Brazil in 2017 (n = 3491), we classified claims into nutrition, health, and environment. We examined whether foods with claims were more likely to be high in critical nutrients using 95% confidence intervals. Claims were found in 41.2% of the products. Nutrition claims were the most prevalent (28.5%), followed by health (22.1%), and environment-related claims (5.2%). More than 85% of the breakfast cereals, granola bars, and nectars contained claims, which were found in 51% of the dairy beverages. Foods with nutrition claims were more likely to be high in critical nutrients (65.3%; 95% CI 62.3, 68.2% vs. 54.1% 95% CI 52.1, 56.0). Products with health (52.9%; 95% CI 49.3, 56.4% vs. 58.5%; 95% CI 56.6, 60.3) and environment-related claims (33.5%; 95% CI 27.0, 40.8% vs. 58.6%; 95% CI 56.9, 60.2%) were less likely to be high in critical nutrients. FoP claims are prevalent in Brazil, and nutrition claims are more likely to have a poorer nutritional profile. Policymakers should consider restricting the presence of claims on unhealthy products.

The Science of Salt: A global review on changes in sodium levels in foods.

This review aims to summarize and synthesize studies reporting on changes in sodium levels in packaged food products, restaurant foods, and hospital or school meals, as a result of salt reduction interventions. Studies were extracted from those published in the Science of Salt Weekly between June 2013 and February 2018. Twenty-four studies were identified: 17 assessed the changes in packaged foods, four in restaurant foods, two in hospital or school meals, and one in both packaged and restaurant foods. Three types of interventions were evaluated as part of the studies: voluntary reductions (including targets), labeling, and interventions in institutional settings. Decreases in sodium were observed in all studies (n = 8) that included the same packaged foods matched at two time points, and in the studies carried out in hospitals and schools. However, there was little to no change in mean sodium levels in restaurant foods. The pooled analysis of change in sodium levels in packaged foods showed a decrease in sodium in unmatched food products (-36 mg/100 g, 95% CI -51 to -20 mg/100 g) and in five food categories-breakfast cereals, breads, processed meats, crisps and snacks, and soups. Twenty-two of the 24 studies were from high-income countries, limiting the applicability of the findings to lower resource settings.

Controle e conservação de pães de forma industrializados através das informações obrigatórias de rotulagem / Control and conservation of industrialized loaf bread trough required label informations

Atualmente, podem ser encontrados nos mercados, pães com ingredientes e características totalmente diferentes dos consumidos em épocas passadas. No entanto, mesmo com tamanha diversidade, todos esses produtos devem conter informações obrigatórias de rotulagem previstas pela Vigilância Sanitária e pelo Ministério da Saúde, de modo a assegurar a saúde e o direito à informação dos consumidores. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar tais informações, no tocante ao controle e conservação, contidas nas embalagens de pães de forma embalados e industrializados. Para isso foram analisadas 26 amostras de pães expostos à venda no município do Rio de Janeiro. A partir das análises observacionais e estatísticas dos rótulos, pôde-se concluir que as mesmas estão dentro do padrão previsto.

Avaliação de leite ultra alta temperatura (UAT) integral produzido no Estado de Sergipe / Evaluation of whole ultra high temperature (UHT) milk produced in the State of Sergipe

O leite tratado ultra alta temperatura (UAT) é um dos produtos mais consumidos, pois apresenta uma tecnologia asséptica que permite a destruição e inativação de microrganismos. Foram coletadas 36 amostras de leite UAT, optando por fabricantes devidamente registrados ao Serviço de Inspeção Federal produzidos no Estado de Sergipe. As características físico-químicas estudadas compreenderam na determinação: da acidez titulável pelo método de Dornic, da estabilidade com emprego da solução alcoólica 68%, densidade a 15ºC, extrato seco total (EST), extrato seco desengordurado (ESD). A verificação dos rótulos das embalagens Tetra Brik de leite UAT foi realizada através da avaliação visual. Os resultados das análises físico-químicas foram obtidos através da média aritmética das amostras de leite UAT sem e com incubação. As marcas de leite UAT analisadas apresentaram dentro dos padrões estabelecidos pela legislação vigente, tanto nas análises físico-químicas quanto na rotulagem.

Controle e conservação de pães de forma industrializados através das informações obrigatórias de rotulagem / Control and conservation of industrialized loaf bread trough required label informations

Atualmente, podem ser encontrados nos mercados, pães com ingredientes e características totalmente diferentes dos consumidos em épocas passadas. No entanto, mesmo com tamanha diversidade, todos esses produtos devem conter informações obrigatórias de rotulagem previstas pela Vigilância Sanitária e pelo Ministério da Saúde, de modo a assegurar a saúde e o direito à informação dos consumidores. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar tais informações, no tocante ao controle e conservação, contidas nas embalagens de pães de forma embalados e industrializados. Para isso foram analisadas 26 amostras de pães expostos à venda no município do Rio de Janeiro. A partir das análises observacionais e estatísticas dos rótulos, pôde-se concluir que as mesmas estão dentro do padrão previsto.(AU)

Avaliação de leite ultra alta temperatura (UAT) integral produzido no Estado de Sergipe / Evaluation of whole ultra high temperature (UHT) milk produced in the State of Sergipe

O leite tratado ultra alta temperatura (UAT) é um dos produtos mais consumidos, pois apresenta uma tecnologia asséptica que permite a destruição e inativação de microrganismos. Foram coletadas 36 amostras de leite UAT, optando por fabricantes devidamente registrados ao Serviço de Inspeção Federal produzidos no Estado de Sergipe. As características físico-químicas estudadas compreenderam na determinação: da acidez titulável pelo método de Dornic, da estabilidade com emprego da solução alcoólica 68%, densidade a 15ºC, extrato seco total (EST), extrato seco desengordurado (ESD). A verificação dos rótulos das embalagens Tetra Brik de leite UAT foi realizada através da avaliação visual. Os resultados das análises físico-químicas foram obtidos através da média aritmética das amostras de leite UAT sem e com incubação. As marcas de leite UAT analisadas apresentaram dentro dos padrões estabelecidos pela legislação vigente, tanto nas análises físico-químicas quanto na rotulagem.(AU)

Traffic Light System Can Increase Healthfulness Perception: Implications for Policy Making.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how information about low nutrient content included in the traffic light labeling system influences consumers' perception of the healthfulness of products with high content of 1 key nutrient, and to compare the traffic light system with warnings in terms of the perception of healthfulness. DESIGN: Images of front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition labels (the traffic light labeling system with different numbers of nutrients with low content, and warnings) were evaluated in study 1, whereas product labels featuring the different FOP nutrition labels were evaluated in study 2. SETTING: Online studies conducted in Montevideo, Uruguay. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1,228 Uruguayan Facebook users. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Perception of healthfulness. ANALYSIS: The researchers used ANOVA to evaluate the influence of FOP nutrition labels on perceived healthfulness. RESULTS: The inclusion of information about low nutrient content in the traffic light system statistically significantly increased the perception of the healthfulness of products with high nutrient content. Nutritional warnings showed healthfulness ratings similar to those of the simplified version of the traffic light system. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Information about low nutrient content in the traffic light system might be used to infer health, and thus could raise the perception of healthfulness and decrease the traffic light system's efficacy in discouraging the consumption of unhealthful products. A simplified version of the traffic light highlighting only high-nutrient content or nutritional warnings seems to overcome this problem.

Lectura, uso e interpretación de etiquetas nutricionales en usuarios de gimnasios de Huancayo, Perú 2015.

Introducción: el etiquetado nutricional ayuda a los consumidores a realizar elecciones más saludables. Sin embargo, este es poco leído, mal interpretado o no usado.Objetivos: evaluar la frecuencia y los factores asociados a la lectura, el uso y la interpretación de etiquetas nutricionales en usuarios de gimnasios en la ciudad de Huancayo, Perú.Materiales y métodos: estudio de corte transversal en 385 usuarios de una cadena de gimnasios. Se midió la interpretación con un test a partir de dos etiquetas, lectura reportada (frecuentemente o no) y el uso reportado para elegir un producto (frecuentemente o no), así como variables demográficas, dietéticas y relacionadas con el gimnasio. Se evaluó la asociación calculando las razones de prevalencias ajustadas en base a las variables significativas del modelo bivariado.Resultados: los participantes tuvieron una edad media de 27,8 ± 9,3 años, 44,7% fueron varones, 49,4% contaron con educación universitaria. El 27,5% reporta leer frecuentemente y dentro de estos el 55,7% reporta usarlas frecuentemente, asimismo el 17,4% sabe interpretar. La lectura se asoció con factores dietéticos y de uso de gimnasio y la interpretación con capacitación previa de lectura de la etiqueta. El uso fue principalmente para seleccionar productos bajos en grasa total (65,1%), alto en proteínas (64,2%) y en menor proporción, productos bajos en sodio (47,2%).Conclusiones: la frecuencia de lectura, el uso y la interpretación de etiquetas nutricionales en usuarios de gimnasio de Huancayo es baja. La capacitación previa de lectura es un factor necesario para una elección saludable. Es necesario establecer estrategias educativas para enseñar a interpretar de forma adecuada las etiquetas nutricionales.

Etiquetado nutricional, ¿qué se sabe del contenido de sodio en los alimentos? / Nutritional labelling, what is known about the sodium content in foods?

La ingesta excesiva de sodio es una característica de nuestra alimentación, es un factor de riesgo de hipertensión arterial y de muerte por complicaciones cardiovasculares. Los alimentos procesados aportan el mayor contenido de sodio en la dieta y su cantidad aparece en las etiquetas de los envases. Este estudio fue diseñado para conocer si los consumidores leen y entienden la información relacionada con el contenido de sodio anotado en las etiquetas, si tienen conocimiento de la relación sodio-sal, de la cantidad máxima de sal reco-mendada para el consumo diario y si obtienen información relacionada en la consulta médica. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO Estudio descriptivo transversal de los resultados de una encuesta realizada a adultos mayores de 19 años en la sala de espera de las consultas de Medicina Interna Adulto y Pediatra en Clínica Las Condes en el período 2012. RESULTADOS 308 (89,2%) de un total de 345 encuestas fueron respondidas correctamente. 93,8% de las mujeres y 80,0% de los hombres (p<0,001) se preocupan por una alimenta-ción saludable, 70,4% refirió conocer la diferencia entre sodio y sal. 39,8% reconoció leer siempre las etiquetas, 52,2% sólo a veces y 8% nunca. El mayor grado de conocimiento referido por los encuestados fueron aquellos que reportaron leer las etiquetas, con una diferencia significativa con aquellos que reportaron no leer las etiquetas (p=0,001). 30,5% de las mujeres y 28,6% de los hombres sabía cuál era la cantidad de sal aconsejada para el consumo diario. El 53,3% no ha re-cibido información médica acerca de la importancia del sodio en la dieta. CONCLUSIÓN La mayoría de los encuestados manifestó su interés por una alimentación sana. Sin embargo, sólo una minoría refirió leer las etiquetas, conocer la cantidad de sal diaria recomendada y recibir información sobre la importancia del sodio en la alimentación.

Excessive sodium intake is a risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular death. Processed foods provide the highest sodium content in the diet and the amount is shown on the package labels. The aim of this study was to know if consumers read and understand the information related to sodium listed on the labels, are aware about the relation between sodium and salt, know the maximum amount of salt recommended for daily consumption and if they receive medical advice about the importance of dietary sodium intake. MATERIAL AND METHOD A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed. The information was collected through a survey given to adults older than 19 years old in the waiting room consultations of internal medicine and pediatrics at Clínica Las Condes during 2012. RESULTS 308 (89,2%) of a total of 345 surveys were answered completely. 93,8% of women and 80,0% of men (p<0,001) care about healthy eating, 70,4% reported knowing the difference between sodium and salt. 39,8% referred to read always the labels, 52,2% only sometimes and 8% never. The highest degree of knowledge referred by respondents were those who reported reading labels, with a significant difference to those who reported not reading labels. (p=0,001). 30,5% of women and 28,6% of men were aware about the recommended dietary salt intake. 53,3% reported not receiving professional advice about the relevance of sodium in the diet. CONCLUSION Most of the respondents expressed their interest in healthy eating. However, only a minority referred to read the labels, to know the daily recommended dietary salt intake and to receive information about the importance of sodium in the diet.

Evaluación de la oferta de alimentos libres de gluten en locales de comida elaborada en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune enteropathy. The only known treatment consists of a permanent adherence to a strict gluten-free diet, which represents an important challenge for patients. Objective. To describe the gluten-free processed food offer in food locals from 3 neighborhoods representative of high, middle and low economic status in Buenos Aires, Argentina. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Specially trained monitors performed a standardized direct assessment of food locals. Whenever direct observation was not possible, we interviewed the personnel as an indirect assessment. We classified dish offer in different categories, and evaluated the processes of food elaboration, storage and distribution. RESULTS: We included 112 food locals. Results for neighborhoods representative of high, middle and low economic status were, respectively: no gluten free dish available in 27.5% (45/62), 27.0% (27/37) and 30.8% (9/13), (p = 0.96); adequate elaboration in 17.7%, 13.5% and 7.7%, (p = 0.61); appropriate food storage in 12.9% (8), 13.5% (5) and 7.7% (1); (p = 0.85); adequate distribution in 8.1%, 8.1% and 0% (0), (p = 0.56). Conclusion. In 1 out of 4 food locals there was not even one gluten free dish. In addition, there was a lack of compliance with safety measures to avoid gluten cross-contamination.

Cheese. What is its contribution to the sodium intake of Brazilians?

The heightened intake of sodium from processed foods is of great public health concern throughout the world. This study evaluated the sodium contents of cheeses available in Brazil and the contribution of cheese to the daily intake of this micronutrient. The labels of 156 commercial samples of various types of Brazilian cheese (Minas, Prato, mozarella, and requeijão cheese, as well as padrão cheese) were evaluated with respect to the reported sodium content. A high variability in the sodium contents of cheeses within each category was observed, although no significant difference was observed in the sodium content present in one serving (30 g) of cheese versus that present in 100 g of product (p > 0.05). With the exception of Minas cheese, more than 70% of the other cheeses examined in this study could be classified as high-sodium cheeses, with sodium contents exceeding 400 mg Na/100 g of product. These results suggest that cheese manufacturers need to reformulate their products and that public health authorities need to take additional measures to curb sodium intake from cheese consumption, including demand-specific labeling and implementing educational campaigns to inform the public about the dangers associated with high sodium intake.

[Consumer use of nutrition labels in the city of Natal, Brazil]. / Utilização da informação nutricional de rótulos por consumidores de Natal, Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the percentage of consumers who read nutrition labels and the association between reading the labels and sociodemographic variables, and to identify suggestions from consumers to make nutrition labels more effective as a source of information. METHODS: For this cross-sectional study carried out in 2008, 368 adults randomly selected from 23 supermarkets in the city of Natal, Brazil, were interviewed. Data were obtained through a semistructured questionnaire including eight closed questions and 10 open questions. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 40.99 years (± 13.58). The interviews showed that 94.6% of the participants read the nutrition labels and that 96.8% considered the labels important or very important; however, only 3.8% stated that they fully understand the labels. There was a significant association between being motivated to read food labels to make healthier choices (35.7%) and higher family income and schooling (P < 0.0001). The measures mentioned by study participants to increase readability and usage included having qualified professionals provide guidance concerning the labels in supermarkets (73.9%) and disseminating through the media information on food labels, what they are, why they are important, and their role (42.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Consumers did use the labels for nutritional guidance, especially those with higher income and schooling. However, the need to improve the labels was evident, as was the importance of providing opportunities for consumers to learn about the nutritional characteristics of food products.

Utilização da informação nutricional de rótulos por consumidores de Natal, Brasil / Consumer use of nutrition labels in the city of Natal, Brazil

OBJETIVO: Determinar a porcentagem de consumidores que consultam a declaração nutricional nos rótulos dos alimentos e a associação entre essa consulta e variáveis sociodemográficas; e identificar sugestões dos consumidores para que a declaração nutricional seja mais eficaz como instrumento de informação. MÉTODOS: Neste estudo transversal realizado em 2008, 368 adultos foram entrevistados na Cidade de Natal, Brasil, selecionados aleatoriamente em 23 supermercados. Os dados foram obtidos a partir de um questionário semiestruturado, composto de oito perguntas fechadas e 10 questões abertas. RESULTADOS: A média de idade dos participantes foi de 40,99 anos (± 13,58). Dos entrevistados, 94,6 por cento consultavam os rótulos e 96,8 por cento consideravam a declaração nutricional importante e muito importante, mas somente 3,8 por cento declararam que compreendiam totalmente a declaração nutricional. A verificação da declaração nutricional com a finalidade de fazer escolhas alimentares mais saudáveis (35.7 por cento) associou-se de forma significativa com o nível de escolaridade e a renda familiar (P < 0,0001). As medidas sugeridas para que a declaração nutricional seja melhor compreendida e utilizada foram principalmente orientação sobre a declaração nutricional realizada por profissionais qualificados nos supermercados (73,9 por cento) e divulgação na mídia sobre o que é a informação nutricional, sua importância e finalidade (42,9 por cento). CONCLUSÕES: Os consumidores utilizavam a declaração nutricional para orientação nutricional, especialmente na presença de renda e escolaridade mais elevadas. Entretanto, fica evidente a necessidade de melhorar os rótulos e promover mais oportunidades para a aprendizagem sobre as características nutricionais dos produtos industrializados.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the percentage of consumers who read nutrition labels and the association between reading the labels and sociodemographic variables, and to identify suggestions from consumers to make nutrition labels more effective as a source of information. METHODS: For this cross-sectional study carried out in 2008, 368 adults randomly selected from 23 supermarkets in the city of Natal, Brazil, were interviewed. Data were obtained through a semistructured questionnaire including eight closed questions and 10 open questions. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 40.99 years (± 13.58). The interviews showed that 94.6 percent of the participants read the nutrition labels and that 96.8 percent considered the labels important or very important; however, only 3.8 percent stated that they fully understand the labels. There was a significant association between being motivated to read food labels to make healthier choices (35.7 percent) and higher family income and schooling (P < 0.0001). The measures mentioned by study participants to increase readability and usage included having qualified professionals provide guidance concerning the labels in supermarkets (73.9 percent) and disseminating through the media information on food labels, what they are, why they are important, and their role (42.9 percent). CONCLUSIONS: Consumers did use the labels for nutritional guidance, especially those with higher income and schooling. However, the need to improve the labels was evident, as was the importance of providing opportunities for consumers to learn about the nutritional characteristics of food products.

Pacientes diabéticos: consideración del rotulado nutricional / Diabetic patients: consideration of the nutritional labeled

El trabajo muestra la evaluación del comportamiento adoptado por pacientes diabéticos tipo 1 y 2, en la selección de los productos alimenticios, según el conocimiento del rótulo nutricional de los envases (AU)

Pacientes diabéticos: consideración del rotulado nutricional / Diabetic patients: consideration of the nutritional labeled

El trabajo muestra la evaluación del comportamiento adoptado por pacientes diabéticos tipo 1 y 2, en la selección de los productos alimenticios, según el conocimiento del rótulo nutricional de los envases