Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Associated with the Selection of Sweetened Ultra-Processed Foods and Their Importance in Oral Health.

BACKGROUND: Reading nutritional labelling helps consumers select healthier food, thereby benefitting their oral health. The purpose of this study was to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of parents and carers of children and preteens, associated with reading nutritional labelling, selecting sweetened ultra-processed foods, and their impact on oral health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which a validated questionnaire was administered to 298 parents and caregivers of children aged 1-12 years from different districts in Villavicencio, Colombia. Participants' scores, based on the number of correct answers, were used to classify their level of KAP as low, medium, or high. In addition, the frequency of responses, the KAP levels, and the median scores were analysed. Finally, associations were determined using the chi-square test. RESULTS: Most participants reached a medium level in terms of knowledge (41.6%) and attitudes (49.3%) and a low level in terms of practices (43.3%). An association was found between participants' level of KAPs and their socioeconomic and educational level (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study findings reveal inadequate KAPs associated with nutritional labelling, adequate food selection, and the importance of oral health.

Prevalencia de actividad física y beneficios y barreras en trabajadores de Villavicencio, Colombia / Prevalence of physical activity and of benefits and barriers in workers of Villavicencio, Colombia

Resumen Introducción: El acelerado ritmo de vida de los trabajadores los expone al incremento en los niveles de sedentarismo, influenciados por factores sociodemográficos, biológicos, económicos y ambientales que a su vez aumentan el riesgo de desarrollar enfermedades crónicas. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de la práctica de actividad física global, beneficios y barreras psicológicas y de salud en trabajadores de una empresa de promoción de seguridad social y recreación de Villavicencio durante el primer trimestre del 2017. Metodología: Estudio observacional, analítico de corte transversal. Se empleó la versión corta del Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física IPAQ, el cuestionario Physical Activity Readiness PAR-Q y la escala de percepción de beneficios y barreras para la práctica de actividad física. Resultados: La prevalencia de actividad física (moderada y vigorosa) fue 33,7% (IC95%: 28,1-39,6%). Las principales barreras de salud consistieron en la presencia de problemas osteoarticulares, mareo y dolor precordial al realizar ejercicio. La percepción alta de beneficios y barreras psicológicas fue de 92,8% y 6,9%, respectivamente. Los principales beneficios psicológicos percibidos estuvieron relacionados con la salud y la autopercepción de la imagen, mientras que las principales barreras fueron fatiga, cansancio y falta de tiempo. La oportunidad de ser inactivo físicamente en mujeres fue dos veces mayor respecto a los hombres. Conclusiones: Existe baja prevalencia de práctica de actividad física en la población estudiada, sobre todo en mujeres. Los beneficios psicológicos estuvieron orientados a la percepción del mejor estado de salud y de la imagen corporal y las principales barreras identificadas fueron agotamiento físico y falta de tiempo.

Abstract Introduction: The fast pace of life of workers exposes them to the increase in sedentary levels, which are influenced by sociodemographic, biological, economic and environmental factors that represent a higher risk of developing chronic diseases. Objective: To determine the prevalence of the practice of global physical activity and of psychological and health benefits and barriers in workers of a company of promotion of social security and recreation of Villavicencio during the first quarter of 2017. Methodology: Cross-sectional, observational study. The short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire and the scale of perception of benefits and barriers to physical activity practice were used. Results: The prevalence of physical activity (moderate and vigorous) was 33.7% (CI 95%: 28.1-39.6%). The main health barriers were to present osteoarticular problems, dizziness and precordial pain when exercising. The high perception of benefits and psychological barriers were 92.8% and 6.9%, respectively. The main psychological benefits perceived were those related to health and self-perception of the image, while the main barriers were fatigue and lack of time. The opportunity of being physically inactive in women was two times greater than in men. Conclusions: There is a low prevalence of physical activity in the studied population, especially in women. The psychological benefits were oriented to the perception of a better state of health and of the corporal image and the main barriers identified were physical exhaustion and lack of time.