Prevalence of and factors associated with nutrition facts panel use among young adults in the National Capital Region, Philippines

Objective@#This study identified the prevalence of Nutrition Facts Panel (NFP) use. It determined the factors associated with NFP use among young adults aged 19-30 years old in the National Capital Region (NCR).@*Methods@#This analytical cross-sectional study collected data using a developed survey questionnaire. It was pretested to 32 respondents and administered online among young adults aged 19 to 30 years old residing in NCR at the time of the study, with a target sample size of 384. Convenience sampling was used to gather study participants. Nominal, ordinal, and interval data were summarized as frequencies and proportions. Mean and standard deviation were computed for ratio and interval data. Multiple logistic regression was used to test for the association to NFP use, reported as odds ratios.@*Results@#Study findings showed that the prevalence of NFP use among the respondents was 50.49% (95% CI: 44.64 – 54.81%). The factors found to be associated to NFP use were: 1) being a primary household food shopper (p-value= 0.029; OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.05–2.63), 2) having a special diet (p-value= 0.001; OR: 3.40; 95% CI: 1.62–7.14), 3) using nutritional supplements (p-value= 0.041; OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.02–2.25), 4) preparing food at home (p-value= 0.019; OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.08–2.49), and 5) engaging in physical activity (p-value< 0.001; OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.37–3.06) regularly.@*Conclusion@#The findings show the need for improved nutrition education and promotion, especially in the NFP. The study recommended improvement in the study methodology and nutrition education programs. It suggested several research areas and topics to be explored.

Prevalence of and factors associated with nutrition facts panel use among young adults in the National Capital Region, Philippines

Objective@#This study identified the prevalence of Nutrition Facts Panel (NFP) use. It determined the factors associated with NFP use among young adults aged 19-30 years old in the National Capital Region (NCR). @*Methods@#This analytical cross-sectional study collected data using a developed survey questionnaire. It was pretested to 32 respondents and administered online among young adults aged 19 to 30 years old residing in NCR at the time of the study, with a target sample size of 384. Convenience sampling was used to gather study participants. Nominal, ordinal, and interval data were summarized as frequencies and proportions. Mean and standard deviation were computed for ratio and interval data. Multiple logistic regression was used to test for the association to NFP use, reported as odds ratios. @*Results@#Study findings showed that the prevalence of NFP use among the respondents was 50.49% (95% CI: 44.64 – 54.81%). The factors found to be associated to NFP use were: 1) being a primary household food shopper (p-value= 0.029; OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.05–2.63), 2) having a special diet (p-value= 0.001; OR: 3.40; 95% CI: 1.62–7.14), 3) using nutritional supplements (p-value= 0.041; OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.02–2.25), 4) preparing food at home (p-value= 0.019; OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.08–2.49), and 5) engaging in physical activity (p-value< 0.001; OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.37–3.06) regularly. @*Conclusion@#The findings show the need for improved nutrition education and promotion, especially in the NFP. The study recommended improvement in the study methodology and nutrition education programs. It suggested several research areas and topics to be explored.

Relação entre porção, medida caseira epresença de gordura trans em rótulos deprodutos alimentícios / Relationship among serving size information, householdmeasurements and trans fat on the labels of food products

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a relação entre a presença de gordura trans e as informações sobre porçãoe medida caseira declaradas em rótulos de produtos alimentícios processados e ultraprocessados. Foram analisadasas informações nutricionais presentes em rótulos de produtos alimentícios comercializados em um supermercado deFlorianópolis-SC, Brasil. A presença de gordura trans foi avaliada na informação nutricional e verificada pela citaçãode componentes com gordura trans na lista de ingredientes, sendo calculada a prevalência de falsos negativos.Estimaram-se as prevalências de alimentos com gordura trans e falsos negativos, bem como foi analisada a associaçãoentre o fracionamento da medida caseira, a presença de gordura trans e o tamanho da porção pelo teste qui-Quadrado,considerando um valor-p < 0,05 como indicativo de significância estatística. Os resultados mostraram que metade dos1855 alimentos analisados apresentou gordura trans na lista de ingredientes. O percentual de falsos negativos foi de32,8%. Observou-se maior prevalência do fracionamento da medida caseira nos alimentos com gordura trans na listade ingredientes e nos falsos negativos, especialmente entre alimentos com tamanho de porção adequada ou < 70% dotamanho recomendado pela legislação brasileira. Os resultados indicam que tamanhos de porções muito pequenas efracionamento de medidas caseiras podem estar sendo utilizados para não destacar a presença de gordura trans na informaçãonutricional. Percebe-se a necessidade de reformulação na legislação brasileira considerando a recomendaçãode eliminação da gordura trans para o aprimoramento das informações sobre porção e medida caseira nos rótulos deprodutos alimentícios processados e ultraprocessados.

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the presence of trans fat, serving size information and householdmeasurements reported on the labels of processed and ultra-processed food products. We analyzed the nutritional informationon the labels of food products sold in a supermarket in Florianópolis-SC, Brazil. The presence of trans fat wasassessed in the nutritional information and verified by the citation of components with trans fat in the ingredients list,making it possible to calculate the prevalence of false negatives. We estimated the prevalence of foods with trans fat andfalse negatives. We also analyzed the association between the fractionalization of household measurements, the presenceof trans fat and serving size with the chi-square test, considering p < 0.05 as statistically significant. The results showed thathalf of the 1,855 foods analyzed presented trans fat in the ingredients list. The percentage of false negatives was 32.8%. Ahigher prevalence of household measurement fractionalization was observed in foods with trans fat in the ingredients listand in the false negatives, especially among foods with appropriate serving sizes or those < 70% of the size recommendedby Brazilian legislation. Very small serving sizes and household measurement fractionalization may be being used to maskthe presence of trans fat in nutrition information. Thus, there is a need to revise Brazilian legislation to reflect the recommendationof eliminating trans fat and to improve serving size and household measurement information on the labels ofprocessed foods.

Avaliação crítica da legislação brasileira de sucos de fruta, com ênfase no suco de fruta pronto para beber / Critical assessment of the Brazilian regulations on fruit juices, with emphasis on ready-to-drink fruit juice

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a avaliação crítica da legislação brasileira de sucos de fruta, com ênfase no suco de fruta pronto para beber. De acordo com a legislação brasileira, os sucos industrializados devem atender à legislação específica, estando de acordo com a definição e a designação que os identificam e com os parâmetros de qualidade estabelecidos, devendo também atender à legislação sobre rotulagem de alimentos embalados. Foi observado que existem lacunas na legislação brasileira de sucos que favorecem sua interpretação equivocada, além da inclusão de sucos não regulamentados no mercado. Mudanças freqüentes, e diferentes informações, nas legislações de rotulagem concomitantemente vigentes, além do uso indevido de expressões no rótulo, também podem levar à interpretação equivocada. Para que se possa conhecer e usar adequadamente a legislação é necessário torná-la clara e mantê-la constantemente atualizada. Adicionalmente, sua ampla divulgação também deverá contribuir para uma escolha consciente na hora da compra.

The aim of this work was to critically assess the Brazilian regulations on fruit juices, with emphasis on ready-to-drink fruit juice. According to the Brazilian regulations, bottled fruit juices must follow specific regulations. They should be in accordance with the definition and designation that identify them, with the quality parameters established, and especially, follow the Brazilian food labeling regulations. The Brazilian regulations on bottled fruit juices have some gaps that promote their misunderstanding and marketing of substandard juices. Frequent changes, divergent labeling regulations and inappropriate use of expressions on the label can also lead to misinterpretation. Food regulations need to be clear and updated frequently if they are to be known and followed. Additionally, their wide dissemination should contribute to informed choices when buying.