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Inamori PMD, Lellis-Santos C. MestreChef nutritional game: an alternative method to promote nutrition facts label reading in obesity outreach activities. ADVANCES IN PHYSIOLOGY EDUCATION 2024; 48:180-185. [PMID: 38174371 DOI: 10.1152/advan.00044.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Reading nutrition facts labels is a competency for which training is given in several nutrition education programs, especially in obesity outreach workshops. The Top Trumps-style card game is commonly used in obesity prevention educational programs to engage participants in reading nutrition facts labels; however, the success of TV cooking shows among children and teenagers has not been explored for educational purposes. This paper is a descriptive study of developing a gamified activity as part of the one-time outreach workshop facilitated by the Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center (OCRC) in Brazil. By playing the MestreChef Nutritional (MCN) game, participants followed similar rules as the corresponding TV cooking show. They were challenged to decide to select food items, calculate dietary food intake, and prepare a recipe to visualize the proportion of macronutrients contained in daily diets. The analysis of the nutritional dietary table completed by participants revealed to be a rich source of information, and we identified in our cohort that selecting an adequate number of food items and making healthy food choices was not concerning. However, their lack of competency in performing mathematical reasoning, particularly in calculating serving sizes and converting grams of macronutrients into calories, was evident. Moreover, facilitators of the workshops agreed that the MCN game presents definitively more didactic effectiveness and playability than the Foods Top Trumps, a former game used in the outreach workshops. The MCN game nourishes the engagement of the participants in learning nutrition-related concepts and may be an efficient didactic resource to improve nutrition knowledge in outreach activities when an alternative method is required to stimulate reading nutrition facts labels.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Reading nutrition facts labels is a typical activity promoted in obesity prevention educational programs. By playing the MestreChef Nutritional, participants can immerse in the context of a food TV show game to have the first contact with reading nutrition facts labels for a learning purpose. However, the game can reveal the participant's limitations in mathematical reasoning despite the didactic potential of the game in promoting obesity-related physiology concepts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamella Mayumi Dias Inamori
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camilo Lellis-Santos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Environmental, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Oh GEG, Huh YE, Mukhopadhyay A. Inducing consumers to use calorie information: a multinational investigation. Psychol Health 2023; 38:459-477. [PMID: 34473007 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2021.1972111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We identify individuals who set daily intake budgets and examine if an intervention making people estimate their calorie intake up to a certain point in the day helps those setting daily budgets to regulate their calorie intake for the remainder of the day, after high prior consumption. DESIGN We conducted an online experiment in five countries: Australia, China, Germany, India, and the UK (n = 3,032) using a 2 (setting calorie budget: yes vs. no, measured) x 2 (intervention: intake reminder vs. control, manipulated) between-subjects design, with the amount of prior consumption measured. Participants were contacted in the afternoon. Those in the intervention condition were asked to estimate their prior calorie intake on that day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We measured the individual characteristics of those who set daily calorie budgets and the intended calorie intake for the remainder of the day. RESULTS Among people who set daily calorie budgets, the intervention reduced intended calorie intake for the remainder of the day by 176 calories if they had already consumed a high amount of calories that day. CONCLUSION A timely intervention to estimate one's calorie intake can lower additional intended calorie intake among those who set daily calorie budget.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ga-Eun Grace Oh
- Department of Marketing and International Business, Lingnan University, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
| | - Young Eun Huh
- School of Business and Technology Management, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Korea
| | - Anirban Mukhopadhyay
- School of Business and Management, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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Changes in Body Mass, Physical Activity, and Dietary Intake during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns in Canadian University Students. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020326. [PMID: 36829601 PMCID: PMC9953033 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
This study examined changes in body mass and body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and dietary intake in Canadian university students during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two self-reported recall surveys were conducted: after the first lockdown in September 2020 (T1) and following the second lockdown in March 2021 (T2). Eligible participants were full-time undergraduate students attending a Canadian university and residing in Canada during the first year of the pandemic. At T1, 510 students (99 male, 411 female) completed the survey, and of those, 135 (32 males, 103 females) completed the survey at T2 (73% attrition). At both T1 and T2, most participants were 18-24 years of age (93% and 90%, respectively), Caucasian (73% and 78%, respectively), and resided in the province of Ontario (79% and 80%, respectively). Body mass increased from T1 to T2 (+0.91 ± 3.89 kg t(132) = -2.7, p = 0.008). BMI also increased from T1 to T2 (+0.30 ± 1.33 kg/m2 [t(130) = -2.5, p = 0.012), with a greater number of participants within the overweight range (19.8% versus 24.4%, respectively). At T1, 38% of the participants reported a decrease in physical activity, while the number of students reporting a decrease in activity increased to 56% at T2. Dietary energy intake decreased from 1678 ± 958 kcal/day at T1 to 1565 ± 842 kcal/day at T2 [c2(1) = 7.2, p = 0.007]. Diet quality also decreased, with participants not meeting the recommended daily allowance for essential macro and micronutrients. A decrease was observed in daily servings of fruits (-27%, p < 0.001), vegetables (-72%, p < 0.001), and grains (-68%, p < 0.001). In conclusion, despite a small decrease in dietary energy intake, a modest weight gain occurred during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in this cohort of Canadian university students, which was potentially related to decreased physical activity and diet quality.
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Lando AM, Ferguson MS, Verrill L, Wu F, Jones-Dominic OE, Punzalan C, Wolpert BJ. Health Disparities in Calorie Knowledge and Confidence Among the U.S. Adult Population. J Prim Care Community Health 2021; 12:21501327211002416. [PMID: 33724074 PMCID: PMC7970178 DOI: 10.1177/21501327211002416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Obesity prevalence has reached an all-time high in the US, affecting >40%
of the population. This study’s objective was to evaluate associations
between demographics and self-reported calorie knowledge and self-perceived
confidence in calorie knowledge (“calorie confidence”). The relationships
between body mass index (BMI) and calorie knowledge and confidence were also
explored. Methods We analyzed data from participants (n = 2171) in the crosssectional,
nationally representative 2019 FDA Food Safety and Nutrition Survey using
logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and confidence
intervals (95% CIs) for associations between BMI and calorie knowledge
(correct/incorrect), calorie confidence (confident/not confident), and
demographic characteristics, and the Wald chi square test to evaluate
relationships between BMI and both calorie knowledge and confidence. Results Many of the same subgroups were more likely than others to report lack of
calorie knowledge and lack of confidence in knowing the typical daily
calorie intake needed to maintain a healthy weight [respective AORs (95%
CIs): age (years), >60 vs 51-60, 1.7 (1.1-2.5), and 1.4 (1.0-2.0); sex,
male vs female, 1.7 (1.3-2.3), and 1.7 (1.3-2.1); race/ethnicity,
non-Hispanic Black vs non-Hispanic white, 3.4 (2.1-5.5), and 2.4 (1.6-3.8);
education, ≤high school vs college grad, 1.5 (1.0- 2.3), and 1.9 (1.3-2.7)].
BMI was significantly correlated with calorie confidence
(P = .047), such that those reporting less confidence were
more likely overweight or obese [underweight/healthy (BMI < 25): 29%,
overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30): 34%, obese (BMI ≥ 30): 37%]. Conclusion In certain demographic subgroups associations between calorie knowledge and
confidence differed. Tailored education and outreach for these groups may
help to address these disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy M Lando
- Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Fanfan Wu
- Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, USA
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Oliveira D, De Steur H, Lagast S, Gellynck X, Schouteten JJ. The impact of calorie and physical activity labelling on consumer's emo-sensory perceptions and food choices. Food Res Int 2020; 133:109166. [PMID: 32466912 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Providing labelling information is one of the strategies used to help consumers make healthier choices. However, although the type of information has the potential to assist consumers, it is important to evaluate their sensory and emotional perceptions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different labelling information on consumers' sensory and emotional perceptions and their choices, for three different products (potato chips, juice and yogurt). A total of 480 participants were randomly assigned to one of four information conditions (no information (blind), kilocalorie (kcal) information, physical activity (PA) information [duration of walking required to burn the kcal in the product], kcal + PA information). For each information condition, participants were provided with higher kcal and lower kcal equivalent food pairs and were required to choose one. The participants evaluated their overall liking using a 9-point hedonic scale and answered rate-all-that-apply (RATA) questions related to the sensory and emotional characteristics of the products. The results showed no significant impact of calorie and physical activity labelling on consumers' overall liking for juice and yogurt samples and no impact of PA information for chips. Significant differences in overall liking were found when comparing the blind condition with kcal and kcal + PA information, with lower acceptance of the chips samples when this information was presented. Although providing calorie and physical activity labelling had little impact on consumers' sensory and emotional perceptions, consumers perceived unhealthy attributes and negative emotions, such as fatty and guilty, when information was presented. The present work suggests that, although nutrition labelling may be presented as an important strategy to assist consumers, it is important to evaluate consumers' lifestyles, considering that non-dieters and those low and moderate in dietary restraint may not be impacted by this information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denize Oliveira
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
| | - Hans De Steur
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Sofie Lagast
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Xavier Gellynck
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Joachim J Schouteten
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium
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McKinnon RA, Oladipo T, Ferguson MS, Jones OE, Maroto ME, Wolpert B. Reported Knowledge of Typical Daily Calorie Requirements: Relationship to Demographic Characteristics in US Adults. J Acad Nutr Diet 2019; 119:1831-1841.e6. [PMID: 31296427 DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2019.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2018] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND US obesity rates are at historically high levels, increasing the risk of negative health and economic outcomes at individual and population levels. Findings from earlier studies indicate that many consumers lack a clear understanding of calorie needs, potentially affecting their ability to manage caloric intake. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to determine the knowledge of typical daily calorie needs of US adults by demographic and other characteristics, using a nationally representative sample. DESIGN Data were analyzed from 6,267 respondents to the 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and its supplemental data source, the Flexible Consumer Behavior Survey, to assess reported knowledge of typical daily calorie requirements and associations with demographic and other characteristics of interest. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED Logistic regression for complex sample surveys was used to estimate associations between self-reported daily calorie needs for men and women aged 21 years and older and participant characteristics. RESULTS Most respondents accurately reported typical daily calorie needs for a person of their sex, age group, and physical activity level, however, distinct differences emerged between demographic groups. Women, non-Hispanic whites, and those with higher income and education levels were more likely to estimate typical daily calorie needs accurately; men were almost four times more likely than women to indicate a lack of knowledge of daily calorie needs. CONCLUSIONS Knowledge of typical daily calorie requirements is a foundational concept of nutrition literacy. Educational efforts to increase awareness, knowledge, and use of calorie information for certain groups may be helpful to refine interventions and ultimately improve public health in the United States.
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Ahmed J, Alnasir F, Jaradat A, Al Marabheh AJ, Hamadeh RR. Association of Overweight and Obesity with High Fast Food Consumption by Gulf Cooperation Council Medical Students. Ecol Food Nutr 2019; 58:495-510. [PMID: 31062621 DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2019.1613986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Fast food and sugar-sweetened soft drink consumption, adiposity, and physical activity behavior were determined through a cross-sectional study with 251 medical students from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Approximately 38% of the students were overweight or obese, and 56.2% consumed fast food in the past 24 h. Main reasons for consuming fast foods were lack of time to cook healthy food (51%), pleasant taste (26%) and the influence of family and friends (15%). Overweight status or obesity was more prevalent among males (50%), those having greater knowledge about calories in fast-food meals (51.6%), who checked fast food calories before eating (47.7%) or overestimated the amount of sugar in a soft drink (17.82 ± 26.59 spoons). Overweight or obese participants also performed more moderate physical activity (1.73 ± 2.08 days per week) compared to those with normal weight or underweight (p = <0.05). Fast food consumption can be curtailed by improving the availability of and access to healthier foods and implementing behavior change and regulatory interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamil Ahmed
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University , Manama , Bahrain
| | - Faisal Alnasir
- Department of Primary Care and Social Medicine, Imperial College London , London , UK
| | - Ahmed Jaradat
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University , Manama , Bahrain
| | - Amer Jebril Al Marabheh
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University , Manama , Bahrain
| | - Randah Ribhi Hamadeh
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Arabian Gulf University , Manama , Bahrain
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Dewey G, Wickramasekaran RN, Kuo T, Robles B. Does Sodium Knowledge Affect Dietary Choices and Health Behaviors? Results From a Survey of Los Angeles County Residents. Prev Chronic Dis 2017; 14:E120. [PMID: 29166247 PMCID: PMC5703653 DOI: 10.5888/pcd14.170117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In 2010, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health launched a local sodium-reduction initiative to address the rising prevalence of high blood pressure (hypertension) and related cardiovascular conditions in the population. To inform this effort, we evaluated self-reported knowledge and health behaviors related to sodium intake among Los Angeles County residents. Methods We administered 3 cross-sectional Internet panel surveys on knowledge about dietary sodium to a sample of Los Angeles County adults, at intervals from December 2014 through August 2016. Multinomial and logistic regression models were constructed to describe associations between sodium knowledge and self-reported health behaviors. Results A total of 7,067 panel subjects clicked into the online survey, and 2,862 completed the survey (adjusted response rate = 40.5%). Only 102 respondents (3.6%) were able to accurately report the recommended milligrams of sodium that an average adult should consume daily (1,500 mg to 2300 mg). Knowing about daily sodium intake recommendations was associated with increased odds of using Nutrition Facts labels to make food purchase decisions (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59–7.60) and with decreased odds of taking measures to prevent hypertension (AOR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.19–0.74). Conclusions Los Angeles County residents had a limited knowledge of recommended daily sodium intake. Efforts to increase understanding of these recommendations may encourage wider engagement in healthy behaviors. Health agencies should integrate sodium reduction messages in their diet and nutrition educational efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Dewey
- Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California
| | - Ranjana N. Wickramasekaran
- Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, California
| | - Tony Kuo
- Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Brenda Robles
- Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Community Health Sciences, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California
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Hobin E, Bollinger B, Sacco J, Liebman E, Vanderlee L, Zuo F, Rosella L, L'abbe M, Manson H, Hammond D. Consumers' Response to an On-Shelf Nutrition Labelling System in Supermarkets: Evidence to Inform Policy and Practice. Milbank Q 2017; 95:494-534. [PMID: 28895220 DOI: 10.1111/1468-0009.12277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Policy Points: On-shelf nutrition labelling systems in supermarkets, such as the Guiding Stars system, are intended to provide consumers with simple, standardized nutrition information to support more informed and healthier food choices. Policies that support the provision of simplified nutrition labelling systems may encourage consumers to make positive shifts in food-purchasing behaviors. The shifts in consumer food-purchasing patterns observed in our study after the introduction of the Guiding Stars system in supermarkets translated into measurable nutritional benefits, including more items purchased with slightly less trans fat and sugar and more fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. This study is one of the first to report the positive impact of an on-shelf nutrition labelling system on supermarket sales and revenues-key information that was specifically requested by the US National Academies, as such labelling interventions may be more sustainable if they lead to higher revenues. CONTEXT Providing a nutrition rating system on the front of food packages or on retail shelf tags has been proposed as a policy strategy for supporting healthier food choices. Guiding Stars is an on-shelf nutrition labelling system that scores foods in a supermarket based on nutritional quality; scores are then translated into ratings of 0 to 3 stars. It is consistent with evidence-informed recommendations for well-designed labels, except for not labelling 0-star products. The largest supermarket retailer in Canada rolled out the Guiding Stars system in supermarkets across Ontario, Canada. The aim of our study was to examine the extent to which consumers respond to an on-shelf nutrition labelling system in supermarkets to inform current and future nutrition labelling policies and practices. METHODS Capitalizing on a natural experiment, we conducted a quasi-experimental study across 3 supermarket banners (or "chains") in Ontario, one of which implemented the Guiding Stars system in 2012. We used aggregated supermarket transaction data to test the effect of Guiding Stars on the nutritional quality of food purchases in intervention supermarkets relative to control supermarkets. We also conducted exit surveys among 783 randomly selected shoppers from intervention and control supermarkets to assess consumer awareness, understanding, trust, and self-reported use of the labelling system. FINDINGS Relative to control supermarkets, shoppers in intervention supermarkets made small but significant shifts toward purchasing foods with higher nutritional ratings; however, shifts varied in direction and magnitude across food categories. These shifts translated into foods being purchased with slightly less trans fat and sugar and more fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. We also found increases in the number of products per transaction, price per product purchased, and total revenues. Results of the exit surveys indicate a modest proportion of consumers were aware of, understood, and trusted Guiding Stars in intervention supermarkets, and a small proportion of consumers reported using this system when making purchasing decisions. However, 47% of shoppers exposed to Guiding Stars were confused when asked to interpret the meaning of a 0-star product that does not display a rating on the shelf tag. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates support for policies promoting on-shelf nutrition labels designed according to evidence-informed principles, but policymakers should move forward with caution when investing in such systems until research has confirmed optimal label design, clarified the mechanisms through which dietary intake is improved, and assessed associations with nutrition-related health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Hobin
- Public Health Ontario.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Bryan Bollinger
- Public Health Ontario.,These authors contributed equally to this work
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