RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the stage of change in which Chilean adults find themselves, with respect to their intention of purchasing packaged, popular foods with a warning label for critical nutrients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with a nationally representative sample. Each participant was asked age, weight, and height. The stage of the change was identified according to the timing of intention to purchase for each of the foods. RESULTS: The sample included 2331 individuals, of whom 60.4% were women. More than 50% of the population was in the precontemplation stage, reaching 66.6% for breakfast cereals. The lowest value was in sweetened beverages with 43.4%. When comparing by sex, a higher proportion of men than women were in the precontemplation stage for sugar-sweetened beverages and cured meats/sausage (P < 0.05). When comparing by nutritional status, the higher the weight status, the higher the prevalence of participants in the three initial stages: precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: We found that the majority of the respondents were in the precontemplation stage for most foods, except for sugar-sweetened beverages. In the case of sugar-sweetened beverages, most respondents were in the preparation, action, and maintenance stages.
