Evaluation of Knowledge and Consumption of diet and Light/Zero Foods in Adolescents

Abstract

In recent years has increased consumption of diet and light/zero foods by adolescents due to concern about body image. But adolescents are unaware of the indications and differences of these products, consuming them without medical and/or nutritional guidance. The study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and consumption of diet and light/zero foods in adolescents enrolled at public and private schools in Tupaciguara, MG, Brazil. Cross-sectional study which weight and height of the adolescents were used for assessing the nutritional status. Dietary intake and knowledge about diet and light/zero foods were evaluated by a questionnaire. Statistical analysis comprised a descriptive analysis, Qui-square test and Fisher´s exact test. The consumption of diet and light/zero foods was higher in female adolescents (50.9%), in the private school (67.4%), with a family income corresponding to or higher than five minimum wages (50.9%) and weight excess (54.3%). The knowledge of the diet foods was higher in female adolescents (57.4%) and the knowledge of the light/zero foods was the same in both genders (56.0%). The knowledge of the diet and light/zero foods was higher in the private school (76.1%), with family income corresponding to or higher than five minimum wages (60.0%) and 81.0% of normal weight female adolescents had knowledge of diet food and 80.1% of the light/zero foods. In conclusion, the adolescents usually consumed indiscriminately and incorrectly the diet and light/zero foods because of the lack of knowledge about their differences and recommendations. Keywords: Adolescent. Diet Fads. Food Consumption. Nutritional Status. ResumoNos últimos anos têm aumentado o consumo de alimentos diet e light/zero pelos adolescentes devido à preocupação com a imagem corporal. Porém os adolescentes desconhecem as indicações e diferenças desses produtos, consumindo-os sem orientação médica e/ou nutricional. O estudo objetivou avaliar o conhecimento e o consumo de alimentos diet e light/zero por adolescentes matriculados em escolas públicas e particular de ensino de Tupaciguara, MG, Brasil. Estudo transversal, com 316 adolescentes de ambas as escolas. O peso e estatura foram utilizados para avaliar o estado nutricional. O consumo alimentar e o conhecimento sobre os alimentos diet e light/zero foram avaliados por um questionário. A estatística consistiu em análise descritiva, teste Qui-quadrado e Exato de Fisher. O consumo de alimentos diet e light/zero foi maior entre alunos do sexo feminino (50,9%), da escola particular (67,4%), com renda familiar igual ou maior a cinco salários mínimos (50,9%) e com excesso de peso (54,3%). O conhecimento sobre os alimentos diet foi maior no sexo feminino (57,4%) e o conhecimento sobre os alimentos light/zero foi igual em ambos os sexos (56,0%). O conhecimento sobre os produtos diet e light/zero foi maior na escola particular (76,1%), com renda familiar igual ou maior a 5 salários mínimos (60,0%); 81,0% dos eutróficos tinham conhecimento sobre os alimentos diet e 80,1% sobre os alimentos light/zero. Contatou-se que os adolescentes faziam uso indiscriminado e incorreto dos alimentos diet e light/zero, pois desconheciam as suas diferenças e indicações. Palavras-chave: Adolescente, Dietas da Moda. Consumo de Alimentos. Estado Nutricional.

How to inform about sodium reduction on food labels?

“…The first step for consumers to make healthier choices is to use proper communication on food labels so that consumers can easily identify the healthiest foods. However, surveys have shown consumers' difficulties in understanding the communication currently used in some countries, how to interpret the Nutrition Facts Label and understanding the meaning of terms such as light and diet (Silva, Soares, & Pascoal, 2019).…”