Evaluation of the food environment of public hospitals in a Brazilian metropolis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Maria Eduarda Ribeiro José ◽  
Inês Rugani Ribeiro de Castro ◽  
Daniela Silva Canella
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Food Service ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Food Services ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vending Machines ◽  
Nutrition Service

Abstract Objective: To characterise the food environment of public hospitals in a Brazilian metropolis. Design: A cross-sectional study involving the audit of mini-kitchens, non-commercial food services, commercial food services and vending machines within hospitals and interviews with workers and managers. Environmental dimensions assessed included: availability, accessibility, affordability, convenience, nutrition information, promotion and advertising, infrastructure for food and ambience, in addition to decisions-level aspects. Setting: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Participants: 24 public hospitals in the municipal health network. Results: Of the hospitals assessed, 92·0 % had a non-commercial food service, 87·5 % had mini-kitchens (facilities to consume food taken from home), 37·5 % had commercial food services and 25·0 % had vending machines. Mini-kitchens were available in most but not all hospitals, a key facility given that few commercial or non-commercial food services were open 24 h a day. The food availability in the hospitals surveyed did not promote healthy eating. A wide variety of ultra-processed foods and drinks was found and advertising promoting their consumption, even in non-commercial food services with menus planned by nutritionists. Water filters/fountains were present in around 50 % of mini-kitchens and non-commercial food services but were unavailable in commercial food services. According to workers interviewed, the temperature of the environment was the worst-rated aspect of mini-kitchens, non-commercial food services and commercial food services. Nutrition service managers reported little involvement in producing biddings and proposals for hiring outside companies to run non-commercial food services or commercial food services. Conclusion: The food environment of the hospitals studied did not promote healthy eating habits.

scholarly journals Nutrition Knowledge is Correlated with a Better Dietary Intake in Adolescent Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danilo C. Noronha ◽  
Monique I. A. F. Santos ◽  
Adrianny A. Santos ◽  
Lizia G. A. Corrente ◽  
Rúbia K. N. Fernandes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Sodium Intake ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Nutrition Knowledge ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Cross Sectional

Nutrition education is one of the factors that may help to promote behavior change and therefore may improve the dietary habits of adolescent soccer players. However, information about the relationship between nutrition knowledge (NK) and the dietary behavior of these athletes is scarce. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the eating habits of adolescent soccer players and analyse the correlations among dietary intake and NK. Seventy-three Brazilian adolescent soccer players (aged 14–19 years), from four professional clubs, underwent anthropometric evaluation and completed 3-day food records. Misreporting of energy intake was evaluated and the dietary intake data were energy-adjusted and compared with recommendations for athletes and dietary reference intakes. The athletes also answered a questionnaire about barriers for healthy eating and a nutrition knowledge test divided into three sections: Basic Nutrition Knowledge (BNK), Sports Nutrition Knowledge (SNK), and Food Pyramid Nutrition Knowledge (FPNK). The participants showed a low NK (54.6%) and an inadequate intake of fruits, vegetables, dairy, carbohydrates, and micronutrients. A positive correlation was found between the ingestion of phosphorus and FPNK as well as among calcium and both SNK and Total NK (p<0.05). Sodium intake was negatively correlated with all categories of the NK test (p<0.05). The adolescents reported that the principal barriers for adopting a healthy diet were the lack of willpower and a busy lifestyle. In this context, nutrition education is recommended and should also provide practicable healthy eating goals according to athletes´ lifestyle as well as target motivational barriers to increase adherence.

scholarly journals Family farming products on menus in school feeding: a partnership for promoting healthy eating

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 2267-2273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hélida Ventura Barbosa Gonçalves ◽  
Diogo Thimoteo da Cunha ◽  
Elke Stedefeldt ◽  
Veridiana Vera de Rosso
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Family Farming ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
School Feeding ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Healthy Eating Habits ◽  
Feeding Program

The aim of this study was to characterize the process of buying Family Farming (FF) food for the Brazilian School Feeding Program (BSFP) and compare the quality of menus served to the schoolchildren before and after the implementation of Law n. 11,947/09. This is an observational cross-sectional study developed with application of semi-structured questionnaire and evaluating menus. Eighty-two cities from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil participated of the study. Of these cities reported, 74.1% performed the purchase of products of FF for BSFP. The lack of interest of farmers and the deficient hygienic and sanitary conditions were the main difficulties reported. The quality of the menus offered to the schoolchildren improved significantly after the implementation of FF purchases. The partnership between FF and BSFP can contribute greatly to the development of healthy eating habits, not only by offering better nutritional quality menus, but also by implementing of nutritional education activities guided by the sustainable production and consumption of food.

scholarly journals School canteens in the Federal District, Brazil and the promotion of healthy eating

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Blamires Santos Porto ◽  
Bethsáida Abreu Soares Schmitz ◽  
Elisabetta Recine ◽  
Maria de Lourdes Carlos Ferreirinha Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Federal District ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
School Cafeterias

Objective: To characterize the school cafeterias in the Federal District of Brazil with respect to the promotion of healthy eating in schools. Methods: This is a descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study, with a representative sample of schools with cafeterias in the Federal District, Brazil (n=202). The data were collected from April to November 2010 by means of on-site interviews and a structured questionnaire. The Pearson's chi-squared and Student's t tests were used. Results: A higher prevalence of outsourcing, and few employees and dieticians were observed. The prevailing foods were baked sausage, cheese, or chicken rolls or pastries. It was also found that 42.2% of the schools influence the menu of the cafeterias, and 58.6% of the representatives believe in the possibility of influencing the students' eating habits. However, 68.0% of the respondents do not believe in the economic feasibility of completely healthful school cafeterias. Approximately 30.0% of the respondents carry out activities to promote healthy eating. Conclusion: Most of the school cafeterias in the Federal District do not encourage healthful eating. The high prevalence of outsourced services with little interference from the school community gives high autonomy to the cafeteria's owner, whose priority is the pursuit of profit at the expense of the students' nutritional education. Improving the nutritional quality of school foods should be a continuous interactive effort of the food suppliers, principals, students, parents, and government authorities.

scholarly journals Body image dissatisfaction and distortion among food service workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-65
Author(s):  
Alessandra dos Santos Nazaret ◽  
Priscila Moreira de Lima Pereira ◽  
Ariele Edna Cristina Souza ◽  
Patricia Aparecida Fontes Vieira
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Food Service ◽  
Body Image Dissatisfaction ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Image Distortion ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Body Image Distortion

Background: People manifest a growing concern with their bodies due to health-related or esthetic reasons which contributes to increase their body dissatisfaction and distortion. Objective: To analyze weight gain, body image dissatisfaction and distortion among employees of a university restaurant in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study in which we analyzed the participants’ body weight, height and body mass index. Body image dissatisfaction and distortion were investigated with a figure scale. We administered a questionnaire to investigate weight gain and changes in dietary habits since starting in the job. Sample characteristics and factors related to body image dissatisfaction are described as frequencies and were compared by means of the χ2 test with software SPPS version 17.0. Results: We analyzed 46 employees (82.61% female) 63% of whom gained weight since starting in the job, 3.4 kg on average. Women reported having acquired poorer dietary habits. About 68.4% of the women and 75% of the men exhibited overweight. All the women (100%) and 50% of the men reported body image dissatisfaction and 76.3 and 50% respectively a desire to lose weight. We found a high prevalence of body image distortion, of 94.7% for the women and 100% for the men. Conclusion: Weight gain, changes in dietary habits, body image distortion and dissatisfaction point to the need for dietary and nutritional educational programs which promote healthy eating habits and changes in behavior relating to diet and body image.

scholarly journals Evaluation of compliance to national nutrition policies in summer day camps

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 1620-1625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Falon Tilley ◽  
Michael W Beets ◽  
Sonya Jones ◽  
Gabrielle Turner-McGrievy
Keyword(s):  
Parent Education ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Eating Behaviours ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Multiple Observations ◽  
Nutrition Habits

AbstractObjectiveThe National Afterschool Association (NAA) standards specify the role of summer day camps (SDC) in promoting healthy nutrition habits of the children attending, identifying foods and beverages to be provided to children and staff roles in promoting good nutrition habits. However, many SDC do not provide meals. Currently, national guidelines specifying what children are allowed to bring to such settings do not exist, nor is there a solid understanding of the current landscape surrounding healthy eating within SDC.DesignA cross-sectional study design using validated measures with multiple observations was used to determine the types of foods and beverages brought to SDC programmes.SettingFour large-scale, community-based SDC participated in the study during summer 2011.SubjectsThe types of foods and beverages brought by children (n 766) and staff (n 87), as well as any instances of staff promoting healthy eating behaviours, were examined via direct observation over 27 d. Additionally, the extent to which current foods and beverages at SDC complied with NAA standards was evaluated.ResultsLess than half of the children brought water, 47 % brought non-100 % juices, 4 % brought soda, 4 % brought a vegetable and 20 % brought fruit. Staff foods and beverages modelled similar patterns. Promotion of healthy eating by staff was observed <1 % of the time.ConclusionsFindings suggest that foods and beverages brought to SDC by children and staff do not support nutrition standards and staff do not regularly promote healthy eating habits. To assist, professional development, parent education and organizational policies are needed.

scholarly journals Dietary Practices and Barriers to Adherence to Healthy Eating among King Faisal University Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (23) ◽  
pp. 8945
Author(s):  
Amal Ismael Abdelhafez ◽  
Fahima Akhter ◽  
Abdulrahman Abdulhadi Alsultan ◽  
Sahbanathul Missiriya Jalal ◽  
Ayub Ali
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Academic Discipline ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Dietary Practices ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Balanced Diet ◽  
Nutrition Course ◽  
Healthy Diets

Proper dietary practices should be developed during the student years that will continue into the future. This study aimed to identify the eating habits and dietary practices among King Faisal University (KFU) students, explore the barriers to adherence to healthy eating, associate the understanding of healthy diets with students’ characteristics, and determine the association between body mass index (BMI) and awareness of the concept of healthy diets, academic discipline, and enrollment in a nutrition course. In this cross-sectional study, students were selected randomly and a questionnaire was distributed using an electronic platform through KFU email. Out of 564 students, nearly half (45.7%) reported eating snacks as their main food, and some (38.3%) reported eating with their family twice daily. The students rarely reported eating with friends (73%) or eating dates (48.8%). Furthermore, many reported that they were not consuming a balanced diet (42.6%). Some students (46.3%) reported taking breakfast daily, and 49.1% reported eating meals regularly. There was low consumption of vegetables (29.3%) and fruits (26.2%) among the students. The barriers to adherence to healthy eating were the availability of fast food (73.2%), high cost of healthy food (72.7%), limited time (59%), and laziness (57.1%). Statistically significant data indicated that the students with a normal BMI were more aware of the concept of healthy diets, studied medical and applied sciences, and were enrolled in KFU nutrition courses.

scholarly journals It Is Time to Make Policy for Healthier Food Environments in Australian Universities

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1909 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yumeng Shi ◽  
Qing Wang ◽  
Courtney Norman ◽  
Margaret Allman-Farinelli ◽  
Stephen Colagiuri
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
State Government ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Food Policy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Outlets ◽  
Vending Machines ◽  
Sugary Drinks ◽  
Food And Drink

The obesogenic food environment is likely driving excessive weight gain in young adults. Our study aimed to investigate the nutritional quality of current food and drink offerings in an Australian university. This cross-sectional study included baseline environmental audits of 30 food outlets and 62 vending machines across campus. A recent food and drink benchmark for health facilities by state government was used to classify the food and beverage offerings. It recommended food outlets and vending machines to offer at least 75% ‘Everyday’ (healthy) and less than 25% ‘Occasional’ (less healthy) foods and drinks. Sugary drinks and options with large portion sizes and unhealthy ingredients should be removed from sale. Only two beverage vending machines and none of the food outlets met the full recommendations. The overall proportions of Everyday and Occasional foods in food outlets were 35% and 22%, respectively with 43% falling into the category that should not be sold. Sugary drinks occupied a third of beverage varieties in outlets and 38% of beverage slots in vending machines. The current university food environment was poorly compliant with the existing benchmark. Specific food policy in the university setting may be needed to make healthier choices more accessible to young adults.

scholarly journals School Gardens in the Distrito Federal, Brazil

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-216
Author(s):  
Renata Bernardon ◽  
Bethsáida De Abreu Soares Schmitz ◽  
Elisabetta Gioconda Iole Recine ◽  
Maria De Lourdes Carlos Ferreirinha Rodrigues ◽  
Cristine Garcia Gabriel
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
School Food ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Healthy Eating Habits ◽  
Distrito Federal ◽  
Two Phases

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to identify experiences with gardens in public schools in the Distrito Federal, Brazil, and to analyze factors involved in their use to promote healthy eating habits. METHODS: This is an analytical cross-sectional study with data collection in two phases: (1) telephone contact with all public schools in the Distrito Federal; (2) interviews conducted with a sample of schools with a garden (n=105). RESULTS: Of the 582 schools in the Distrito Federal, 453 (77.8%) participated in phase 1 and 37.7% of these had a garden. Rural schools had a higher prevalence of gardens (p=0.003). Among the schools which had no garden, 75.2% (n=212) had interest in creating one. The main reason for the deactivation of gardens was a lack of manpower to maintain them. The main reason for creating a garden was to supplement school food (56.2%). The garden was used as an educational space to promote healthy eating habits by 60.8% of the schools. CONCLUSION: An expressive percentage of schools with gardens (37.7%) was identified in the Distrito Federal. A number of factors were associated with the presence of a garden, including the location and size of the school, as well as the level of education. A significant percentage of schools reported using the garden as a space to promote healthy eating habits. This result must be refined by assessing the use and impact of gardens as a tool to promote healthy eating habits in the school community.

scholarly journals Dutch Preadolescents’ Food Consumption at School: Influence of Autonomy, Competence and Parenting Practices

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1505
Author(s):  
Roselinde L. van Nee ◽  
Ellen van Kleef ◽  
Hans C. M. van Trijp
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Parental Support ◽  
Parenting Practices ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Intake Ratio ◽  
At Home

Eating habits appear to become less healthy once children move into adolescence. Adolescence is characterized by increasing independence and autonomy. Still, parents continue influencing adolescents’ eating habits. This cross-sectional study used a Self-Determination Theory perspective to examine how parents can support preadolescents’ food-related autonomy and competence and how these factors are associated with healthy eating motivation and food consumption at school. In addition, the effect of relative healthy food availability at home on preadolescents’ food consumption at school was explored. In total, 142 Dutch preadolescents (mean age 12.18) and 81 parents completed questionnaires. The results showed that preadolescents perceived themselves as having higher food-related autonomy and lower competence to eat healthily as compared to their parents’ perceptions. A path analysis was conducted to test the hypothesized model. Although parental support was positively associated with food-related autonomy, higher food-related autonomy was related to less healthy food intake at school. On the other hand, competence to eat healthily indirectly affected preadolescents’ healthy intake ratio through their healthy eating motivation. Finally, the relative availability of healthy options at home was positively associated with preadolescents’ healthy intake ratio outside the home. Findings from the study advance the understanding of individual and environmental factors that influence eating habits during the key life period of early adolescence. The results may inform interventions aiming to guide preadolescents to make healthy food choices on their own.

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