Applying a food processing-based classification system to a food guide: a qualitative analysis of the Brazilian experience.

OBJECTIVE: The present paper aimed to identify the stakeholders, as well as their arguments and recommendations, in the debate on the application of a food processing-based classification system to the new Brazilian Food Guide. DESIGN: Qualitative approach; an analysis was made of documents resulting from the consultation conducted for the development of the new Brazilian Food Guide, which uses the NOVA classification for its dietary recommendations. A thematic matrix was constructed and the resulting themes represented the main points for discussion raised during the consultation. SETTING: Brazil. SUBJECTS: Actors from academia, government and associations/unions/professional bodies/organizations related to the area of nutrition and food security; non-profit institutions linked to consumer interests and civil society organizations; organizations, associations and food unions linked to the food industry; and individuals. RESULTS: Four themes were identified: (i) conflicting paradigms; (ii) different perceptions about the role and need of individuals; (iii) we want more from the new food guide; and (iv) a sustainable guide. CONCLUSIONS: There was extensive participation from different sectors of society. The debate generated by the consultation revealed two main conflicting opinions: a view aligned with the interests of the food industry and a view of healthy eating which serves the interests of the population. The first group was against the adoption of a food processing-based classification system in a public policy such as the new Brazilian Food Guide. The second group, although mostly agreeing with the new food guide, argued that it failed to address some important issues related to the food and nutrition agenda in Brazil.

Mandatory food labeling of trans fat acids: qualitative analysis of the public consultation / Lei de rotulagem de alimentos em gordura trans: análise qualitativa da consulta pública / Ley de rotulación de alimentos con grasa transgénica: análisis cualitativa de consulta pública

The objective of this paper is to identify the stakeholders and their contributions to the public consultation carried out with regard to the mandatory trans fat acids food labeling proposal in Brazil. Methodology thematic analysis of the documents. Results 25 stakeholders made suggestions regarding the proposed law, and the majority belonged to the food industry sector. The following issues were raised: lack of knowledge among the consumers about trans fat acids; lack of information about trans fat acids in food composition tables and infrastructure to analyse the trans fat content of foods; voluntary trans fat labelling. Conclusions The stakeholders addressed important issues, such as improving nutritional knowledge among the population. However, few stakeholders linked to consumers took part in the public consultation, which might lead to disproportionate influence of the food industry on the development of future food policies.

Objetivo identificar os atores sociais e as suas contribuições na consulta pública realizada sobre a proposta obrigatória de rotulagem de alimentos no Brasil com gordura trans. Metodologia análise temática dos documentos. Resultados 25 atores apresentaram sugestões para a proposta da lei, e a maioria pertencia ao setor da indústria de alimentos. Temas encontrados: falta de conhecimento entre os consumidores sobre a gordura trans; falta de informação sobre gorduras trans em tabelas de composição de alimentos e de infraestrutura para analisar o teor de gordura trans nos alimentos; rotulagem voluntária da gordura trans. Conclusões Os participantes abordaram questões importantes, como a necessidade de aumentar o conhecimento dos consumidores sobre gordura trans. Entretanto, houve poucos atores sociais ligados aos interesses dos consumidores que participaram na consulta pública, e isso pode levar a um desequiibrio de poderes nas discussões sobre nutrição no Brasil.

Objetivo Identificar actores sociales y sus contribuciones en la consulta pública realizada sobre la propuesta obligatoria de rotulación de alimentos en Brasil con grasas transgénicas. Metodología Análisis temático de documentos. Resultados 25 actores presentaron sugerencias para la propuesta de ley, y la mayoría pertenecía al sector de la industria de alimentos. Temas encontrados Falta de conocimiento entre consumidores sobre grasas transgénicas; falta de información sobre grasas transgénicas en tablas de composición de alimentos e infraestructura para analizar grado de grasas transgénicas en alimentos; rotulación voluntaria de grasas transgénicas. Conclusiones Los participantes abordaron cuestiones importantes, como la necesidad de aumentar el conocimiento de los consumidores sobre grasas transgénicas. No obstante, hubo pocos actores sociales ligados a los intereses de los consumidores que participaron en la consulta y eso puede llevar a un desequilibrio de poderes en discusiones sobre nutrición en Brasil.

The Yin and Yang of Formative Research in Designing Serious (Exer-)games.

Despite its relevance, formative research on games may be an undervalued part of the game development process. At the 2014 International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity exergaming preconference satellite meeting, a roundtable discussion was held to assemble experiences and suggestions on enhancing the use of formative research in the development of active videogames (i.e., exergames). This article presents a summary of the concepts discussed. The discussants concluded that, although formative research may slightly expand the project timeline, the potential benefits include a game more in line with preferences of the intended users, with better operationalized theoretical constructs and broader stakeholder support, facilitating implementation and sustainability. It also improves the efficiency of other research parts because of a lower dropout rate of participants. Formative, qualitative research is thus a necessary complement to quantitative measurements of intervention outcomes, in a sort of Yin and Yang dynamic. An adapted version of formative research that casts a wider net may, however, be needed, involving both behavioral scientists and game developers, expanding the topics beyond the game's looks and soliciting the opinions of a larger group of stakeholders, such as implementers, gatekeepers, and funders.

Assessment of diet and physical activity of brazilian schoolchildren: usability testing of a web-based questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Information and communication technology (ICT) has been used with increasing frequency for the assessment of diet and physical activity in health surveys. A number of Web-based questionnaires have been developed for children and adolescents. However, their usability characteristics have scarcely been reported, despite their potential importance for improving the feasibility and validity of ICT-based methods. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the usability evaluation of the Consumo Alimentar e Atividade Física de Escolares (CAAFE) questionnaire (Food Consumption and Physical Activity Questionnaire for schoolchildren), a new Web-based survey tool for the self-assessment of diet and physical activity by schoolchildren. METHODS: A total of 114 schoolchildren aged 6 to 12 years took part in questionnaire usability testing carried out in computer classrooms at five elementary schools in the city of Florianopolis, Brazil. Schoolchildren used a personal computer (PC) equipped with software for recording what is on the computer screen and the children's speech during usability testing. Quantitative and qualitative analyses took into account objective usability metrics such as error counts and time to complete a task. Data on the main difficulties in accomplishing the task and the level of satisfaction expressed by the children were assessed by the observers using a standardized form and interviews with the children. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to summarize both the quantitative and the qualitative aspects of the data obtained. RESULTS: The mean time for completing the questionnaire was 13.7 minutes (SD 3.68). Compared to the children in 2nd or 3rd grades, those in 4th or 5th grades spent less time completing the questionnaire (median 12.4 vs 13.3 minutes, P=.022), asked for help less frequently (median 0 vs 1.0 count, P=.005), had a lower error count (median 2.0 vs 8.0 count, P<.001), and obtained a higher overall performance score (median 73.0 vs 68.0, P=.005). Children with a PC at home spent less time completing the questionnaire (median 12.3 vs 14.9 minutes, P<.001), had a lower overall error count (median 2.0 vs 9.0 count, P=.03), and had a higher performance score (median 72.0 vs 64.0, P=.005) compared to the children without a PC at home. The most common difficulty in completing the questionnaire was in using the scroll bar. The majority of children reported a positive evaluation (liked a lot or liked) for the four design elements, which were evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study provided feedback to improve the final version of the CAAFE questionnaire. Quantitative data showed minor errors and system failures, while qualitative data indicated that, overall, the children enjoyed the CAAFE questionnaire. Grade levels and PC use must be taken into account in Web-based tools designed for children.

Medida da atividade física de crianças: o que professores de educação física têm a nos dizer? / Physical activity assessment in children: what physical education teachers tell us?

Este estudo objetivou obter informações sobre o padrão de atividade física de escolares de sete a dez anos para subsidiar o desenvolvimento de um instrumento baseado em web, destinado a monitorar este comportamento com o uso do computador. Foram realizados seis grupos focais com professores de Educação Física (n = 37). As transcrições foram submetidas à análise qualitativa utilizando uma matriz temática que permitiu a identificação de três categorias: padrões de atividade física dos escolares; limitações do instrumento na versão papel e lápis (Questionário de Atividade Física do Dia Anterior); sugestões de melhorias para o instrumento baseado em web. As principais contribuições para o desenho do instrumento foram: o aumento do número de atividades representadas; inclusão de atividades sedentárias; segmentação do dia para auxiliar a recuperação das informações; melhoria da qualidade gráfica dos desenhos. As informações obtidas permitiram estabelecer as características necessárias para o instrumento proposto, contribuindo para o alcance de maiores níveis de validade de conteúdo e de processo de resposta.

This study aimed to obtain information on the physical activity patterns of schoolchildren aged 7-10 years to support the development of a web-based tool designed to monitor this behavior. Six focal groups were carried out with physical education teachers (n = 37). Thematic analyses were performed based on written transcripts. Three major categories were identified: schoolchildren physical activity patterns; limitations of the pencil and paper instrument format (Previous Day Physical Activity Questionnaire); and suggestions to improve the web based instrument. The main contributions for the instrument design were: increasing the number of physical activities presented in paper and pencil format; inclusion of sedentary activities; segmented day format in order to improve information recall; improvements in graphical design quality. Will be used along with researcher?s expertise as well as usability and validity tests in order to obtain a friendly and intelligible interface for 7 to 10 year old schoolchildren. Information gathered through focus groups allowed to establish the necessary characteristics for the proposed instrument, contributing to the achievement of higher levels of content validity and response process.