Lizbeth Tolentino-Mayo1, Janine Sagaceta-Mejía1, Carlos Cruz-Casarrubias1, Víctor Ríos-Cortázar2, Alejandra Jauregui1, Simón Barquera3. 1. Centro de Investigación en Nutrición y Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública. Cuernavaca, Morelos, México. 2. Coordinación de Primer Nivel y Salud Comunitaria, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Unidad Xochimilco. Ciudad de México, México. 3. Dirección del Centro de Investigación en Nutrición y Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública. Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the use, subjective and objective under-standing of the GDA frontal labeling to assist the population towards making healthy decisions regarding the products they consume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The use of nu-tritional information contained in products ́ packages (GDA, nutritional information table, and list of ingredients), as well as the subjective and objective comprehension of the GDA. RESULTS: A total of 43 157 people were interviewed. Amid the labels, the nutritional table was read more frequently (11.1%). 24.6% (IC95%: 23.9-25.3) and 41.2% (IC95%: 40.4-42.1) of the interviewees classified products correctly as not healthy and high in sodium, respectively. These outcomes were smaller between the elderly, lower socioeconomic levels, lower educational levels, and rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the GDA labeling is not useful to support the vulnerable population to make healthy decisions.
OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the use, subjective and objective under-standing of the GDA frontal labeling to assist the population towards making healthy decisions regarding the products they consume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The use of nu-tritional information contained in products ́ packages (GDA, nutritional information table, and list of ingredients), as well as the subjective and objective comprehension of the GDA. RESULTS: A total of 43 157 people were interviewed. Amid the labels, the nutritional table was read more frequently (11.1%). 24.6% (IC95%: 23.9-25.3) and 41.2% (IC95%: 40.4-42.1) of the interviewees classified products correctly as not healthy and high in sodium, respectively. These outcomes were smaller between the elderly, lower socioeconomic levels, lower educational levels, and rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the GDA labeling is not useful to support the vulnerable population to make healthy decisions.