Relação entre conhecimento materno sobre rotulagem de alimentos e consumo de ultraprocessados em crianças e adolescentes atendidos em um projetos de extensão universitária

The aim of this study was to verify the association between maternal knowledge about labeling and the consumption of ultra-processed foods by children and adolescents of a Socio-Educational Action Program. The sample was conducted for convenience, totalizing 21 participants. A standardized labeling questionnaire was used with mothers and two “24h food recalls” were applied with children/adolescents. The consumption of ultra-processed foods in grams, kcal and percentage of kcal was quantified in relation to the total energy consumption. The median consumption of kcal from ultra-processed foods and grams of these foods was higher among children of mothers who said they had no habit of reading food labels. It can be concluded that educational actions that promote greater knowledge and interpretation of labels are necessary for better food choices.