Impact of nutrition educommunication on the consumption of ultra-processed foods in preadolescents
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v83.119634Keywords:
Educommunication, health, nutrition, preadolescence, ultra-processed foodsAbstract
Introduction: excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods during preadolescence is a public health problem that requires intervention strategies.
Objective: the present study aims to evaluate the impact of a nutrition-based educommunicative intervention on the consumption of ultra-processed foods in preadolescents aged 10 to 12, as well as to analyse differences in its impact according to two contrast variables: gender and grade point average.
Methodology: the proposed methodological design was pre-experimental, analytical-correlational, and quantitative. The intervention, which was applied to a sample of N=164 participants within the target age range, lasted three weeks and included talks, infographics, posters, and educational games. Data collection was carried out using two questionnaires measuring ultra-processed food consumption before and after the intervention. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, paired-samples t-tests, and two-factor repeated-measures ANOVAs.
Results: the results show a significant reduction in the consumption of the four categories of ultra-processed foods: sweets and industrial bakery products, snacks and salty appetizers, sugar-sweetened beverages, and ready-to-eat meals. Regarding the contrast variables, no differences are observed according to gender, but differences are found according to grade point average.
Discussion: consequently, the potential of educommunication in nutrition is highlighted as an intervention strategy to promote healthy eating habits among preadolescents.
Conclusions: the findings have far-reaching implications, being relevant from both a social and academic perspective.
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