Labeling van voedingsmiddelen en veranderingen in het aanbod in supermarkten en bedrijfsrestaurants: methoden om eetgedrag te veranderen?

In dit artikel worden twee studies beschreven naar de effectiviteit van twee omgevingsinterventies met als doel om de vetconsumptie te verlagen en de groente- en fruitconsumptie te verhogen. Beide studies vonden plaats in supermarkten en bedrijfsrestaurants. Het betrof een labelingsprogramma en een interventie waarbij het aanbod van gezonde voedingsmiddelen werd uitgebreid, in combinatie met een algemeen voorlichtingsprogramma. De studies waren experimenteel van opzet. Gegevensverzameling geschiedde door middel van vragenlijsten en het bijhouden van verkoopcijfers. De resultaten lieten geen effect zien van zowel de omgevings- als de voorlichtingsinterventies op het eetgedrag van de respondenten. Verkoopcijfers lieten een significant effect van de labelingsinterventie zien op het verkoopaandeel van magere desserts, echter voor de andere producten werden geen significante verschillen tussen condities gevonden. Geconcludeerd wordt dat de onderzochte omgevingsinterventies niet het verwachte effect sorteren, en dat vervolgonderzoek noodzakelijk is om meer inzicht te krijgen in welke type omgevingsinterventies mogelijk wel effectief zijn in het veranderen van eetgedrag

Process evaluation of two environmental nutrition programmes and an educational nutrition programme conducted at supermarkets and worksite cafeterias in the Netherlands

This article describes the process evaluation of two environmental programs and a educational nutrition program, implemented at supermarkets and worksite cafeterias. Studies conducted earlier, indicated that the programs had no effect on consumers’ eating behavior. Consequently, the more specific purpose of the present study was to identify explanations for the ineffectiveness of the programs and to formulate recommendations for future programs. Materials and Methods The environmental programs included labeling of healthy products and increasing the range of healthy foods on offer. The education program consisted of several elements, such as brochures and a self-help guide. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-one managers of supermarkets and worksite cafeterias where the programs were implemented. Results Although materials were not always entirely compatible with the different supermarkets and worksite cafeterias, the degree of implementation was satisfactory. According to the managers, the programs were not striking enough, the labeling would have been more effective if it had discriminated between different brands of a product, and the number of new products was too small compared to the total range of foods on offer. Discussion The results can be used to help design and check future intervention programs for use at supermarkets or worksite cafeterias. Recommendations for future programs and research are given

De weerspiegeling van het uiterlijk in het zelf: lichaamswaardering, zelfwaardering en sociale vergelijking

Over the past decades many studies have examined the relationship between body esteem and self-esteem. However, researchers have paid limited attention to factors that moderate this relationship. The present field study investigates the moderating effect of age and gender on the relationship between body esteem and self-esteem. Furthermore, this study examines the influence of social comparison on body esteem. Adult men and women (N = 765) filled out a questionnaire. The positive relationship between body esteem and self-esteem was replicated. Age and gender moderated the relationship between body esteem and self-esteem. Social comparison orientation, social comparison direction and gender influenced body esteem

Behavioural strategies to control the amount of food selected and consumed

Several factors within the food environment may stimulate overconsumption. The present study aimed to (1) identify behavioural strategies to cope with this environment to control the amount of food consumed, (2) examine the feasibility and usefulness of the strategies, and (3) evaluate the association between the strategies and body mass index (BMI). After the literature was screened for evidence of factors that contribute to the consumption of large amounts of food, 32 behavioural strategies were identified to overcome these influences (study 1). Subjectively reported feasibility and usefulness of the 32 behavioural strategies in weight management were explored using a pretest post-test study (study 2: n = 52). Additionally, two cross-sectional questionnaire studies (study 3a: n = 120 and study 3b: n = 278) were conducted to evaluate the association between the 32 behavioural strategies and BMI. The strategies were subjectively reported as feasible and useful in weight management. Frequent use of strategies discriminated non-overweight from overweight individuals, but did not discriminate overweight from obese individuals. In conclusion, the findings provided preliminary evidence for the acceptability and validity of the strategies. The effectiveness of the strategies for controlling the amount consumed should be further investigated, especially in overweight and obese participants

The impact of educational and environmental interventions in Dutch worksite cafeterias

Environmental interventions as labeling of healthy foods and an increased availability of healthy foods may help consumers to meet the guidelines for a healthy diet. This article describes a study into the effectiveness of two environmental programs to be used in worksite cafeterias along with an educational program. The aim of the interventions was to reduce fat intake and increase fruit and vegetable intake. In the 'Labeling Program', low fat products were labeled. The 'Food Supply Program' comprised an increased availability of low-fat products and fruits and vegetables in worksite cafeterias. The 'Educational Program' consisted of information about healthy nutrition through brochures, table tents, a self help manual and posters. The design consisted of a pretest-posttest experimental control group design, with four conditions: the Educational Program, the Food Supply Program plus Educational Program, the Labeling Program plus Educational Program and a control group. Seventeen worksites were randomly assigned to one of the four research conditions. Total fat, fruit, and vegetable intake was measured with a quantitative, self-administered food frequency questionnaire (35 questions). Intake during lunch was measured by asking respondents to write down which food items they had purchased during their last lunch in the cafeteria. Furthermore, sales data for some targeted product categories were collected (milk, butter, cheese, meat products, desserts). For the whole study population, no significant effects on consumption data were found for any of the programs. The data showed a beneficial significant treatment effect of the Labeling Program on total fat intake, for respondents who believe they eat a high fat diet. Sales data revealed a significant effect of the labeling program on desserts, but not for the other products

Вплив стану імуносупресії на реакцію відторгнення шкірного трансплантата у щурів

Background: Food portion sizes influence energy intake. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to determine effectiveness of the “PortionControl@HOME” intervention on body mass index and portion control behavior. Methods: A randomized controlled trial among 278 overweight and obese participants was conducted. PortionControl@HOME aimed to increase: portion size awareness, portion control behavior, portion control cooking skills, and to create a home environment favoring portion control. Results: Intention-to-treat multi-level regression analysis indicated statistically significant effects of the intervention on portion control behavior at 3, 6, and 12 months follow-up. The effect on body mass index was significant only at 3 months follow-up and when outliers (n = 3) were excluded (B = −0.45; 95 %CI = −0.88 to −0.04). The intervention effect on body mass index was mediated by portion control behavior. Conclusions: The intervention improves portion control behavior, which in turn influence body mass index. Once the intervention ceased, sustained effects on body mass index were no longer evident. (Current-Controlled-Trials ISRCTN12363482)