Use of nutrition labelling and its association with the adherence to Mediterranean diet and nutritional status determined through the perception of body image in university students of Valparaiso, Chile: a cross-sectional study

Use of nutrition labelling and Mediterranean diet

Authors

  • Fabiola Vilugrón Aravena Universidad de Playa Ancha
  • Nicole Fernández Universidad de Playa Ancha
  • Javiera Letelier Universidad de Playa Ancha
  • Angélica Medina Universidad de Playa Ancha
  • Melanny Torrejón Universidad de Playa Ancha

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14306/renhyd.26.1.1438

Keywords:

Food labeling, Universities, Feeding behavior, Diet, Mediterranean, Students

Abstract

Introduction: The Mediterranean diet (DM) is recognized as a sustainable and healthy dietary pattern, however, the adherence of university students to its recommendations is low. Nutrition labelling is a strategy to promote healthy alimentary choices. The main purpose of this study was to analyze the association between the use of nutritional labelling, adherence to the MD the nutritional status determined through the perception of body image in Chilean university students.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out in which 286 students between 18 and 29 years old participated, enrolled in a public university in Valparaíso, Chile. The adherence to the MD was determined by the KIDMED Test. The frequency of use of nutrition labelling was consulted through three questions: Do you check the number of "High in" labels on packaged foods before you buy them? Do you buy packaged foods with fewer "High In" labels to ensure a healthy choice? Do you read the nutrition labelling of packaged foods with “High In” labels before you buy them? In addition, the nutritional status was determined by the perception of body image. The application of the questionnaires was online. Logistic regression models were realized to evaluate the association between the variables.

Results: About 55% reported a frequent use of nutrition labelling and 26,2% a high adherence to the MD and 51,4% had excess body weight (EBW). The students who frequently buy packaged foods with less “High In” labels and read the nutrition labelling before buy packaged foods had more likely of report a high adherence to the MD (OR:2,39; 95% IC: 1,17-4,85 y OR:2,38; 95% IC: 1,20-4,73 respectively) than those infrequent users of nutrition labelling (p<0,01).

Conclusions: University students who frequently used nutrition labelling had a greater adherence to the MD compared to those infrequent users.

Author Biographies

Nicole Fernández, Universidad de Playa Ancha

Nutricionista, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Carrera de Nutrición, Valparaíso, Chile

Javiera Letelier, Universidad de Playa Ancha

Nutricionista, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Carrera de Nutrición, Valparaíso, Chile, 

Melanny Torrejón, Universidad de Playa Ancha

Nutricionista, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Carrera de Nutrición, Valparaíso, Chile

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Published

2022-03-31

How to Cite

Vilugrón Aravena, F., Fernández, N., Letelier, J., Medina, A., & Torrejón, M. (2022). Use of nutrition labelling and its association with the adherence to Mediterranean diet and nutritional status determined through the perception of body image in university students of Valparaiso, Chile: a cross-sectional study: Use of nutrition labelling and Mediterranean diet . Spanish Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 26(1), 41–51. https://doi.org/10.14306/renhyd.26.1.1438