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Factors that determine choice of processed foods among university students in the context of nutritional warning labels

Abstract:

Nutrition Warning Labels (NWLs) inform students about processed foods that exceed critical nutrient levels. However, evidence on how NWLs influence food decisions is still scarce. The objective of this research was to relate the effect of NWLs on the decision-making of university students, considering the constructs of the theory of planned behavior (TPB), university major, and sociodemographic variables. Through non-probability sampling, 384 university students were interviewed. The questionnaire included the factors of the TPB, corresponding to the attitude, subjective norm, perceived control, and intention to avoid the purchase of foods processed with NWLs, plus field of study and sociodemographic variables. Factor analysis and multiple regression results identified the determinants of the intention to avoid buying processed foods with NWLs. The models showed a negative attitude of the students to the NWLs, which did not activate avoidance behavior on the part of young people. At the same time, the subjective norm, the perceived control, and the training in health careers contribute positively to the intention to avoid foods with NWLs. The results show that the TPB helps understand the ope-ration of NWLs in university students. However, the findings suggest using medium-term communication tools aimed at young people without health training to make an informed choice of processed foods and thus reduce non-communicable diseases associated with poor eating habits.