Preferences and consumer habits related to bread in the centre of Portugal

Purpose – Bread is one of the most consumed foods in the world, and its main function is to provide nutrients and energy for the body. Thus, the purpose of this paper was to raise awareness about the consumption habits of bread and consumer preferences in the region of Viseu (centre of Portugal), assessing the extent to which the preferences and consumption habits differ based on individual variables. Design/methodology/approach – The study was conducted by means of a questionnaire by direct interviewing. The questionnaire included sections aimed at gathering information about demographics, consumption habits and preferences related to bread. The sample consisted of 500 consented respondents. Findings – The results showed significant differences between genders regarding the type of bread eaten: women consumed less wheat bread (52 per cent against 62 per cent; p 0.029) and less unsalted bread (0.3 per cent against 3 per cent; p 0.023), but more whole bread (25 per cent against 11 per cent; p 0.001) and more bread with cereal grains (23 per cent against 11 per cent; p 0.001), thus revealing a trend for a nutritionally more adequate choice. Accordingly, women valued more the composition of the bread when purchasing it (p 0.001). It was also observed a trend for a lower consumption of wheat bread among classes with more advanced studies (47 per cent on university graduates against 60 per cent on nongraduates; p 0.004). Originality/value – This work is innovative because it was the first time the preferences and consuming habits of a sample of Portuguese population regarding bread were accessed, altogether. The results hereby obtained may be of importance both to understand the nutritional importance of bread in the diet of the Portuguese and also for the industry and manufacturers to better correspond to the buying preferences.

Gender and age differences in the sleep habits : a cross-sectional study in adolescents

Objectives: Analyze gender and age differences in sleep habits in a sample of adolescents. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: Public schools of Viseu, Portugal. Participants: Sample consisted of 7534 students, aged 11-20 years (mean age: 14.96 ± 1.81 years; 53.6% girls). Measurements: Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, answered in class and consists of questions to assess insomnia (DSM-IV criteria), sleep patterns, socio-demographic and daily habit variables. Results: Mean sleep duration in this sample was 8.02 ± 1.13 h. Age interfered with sleep duration that decreased with the increasing of age, from 8.45 ± 1.14 h among 11/12 years old to 7.37 ± 1.04 h for ages ≥ 17 years old. Insomnia and symptoms of insomnia were associated with gender and with increasing of age. Nearly 80% of students reported daytime tiredness, 66.7% sleepiness during the day; 56.1% during classes and 47.6% reported waking up with headaches, all variables more prevalent among girls and older adolescents. Conclusions: The sleep problems and variables related to sleep have become more frequent among girls and with increasing age. We recommend that the promotion of sleep hygiene and prevention of the consequences should be encouraged in adolescents and their families, especially among the female gender and older adolescents.

Consumers knowledge about dietary fibre : Results of a survey questionnaire in Hungary and Romania

Dietary fi bres (DFs) are essential components of the balanced diet. Even though the adequate level of their consumption can be ensured from several natural (e.g. fruit, vegetables, legumes) and ‘artifi cial’ sources (e.g. functional foods), the consumed levels are below the recommendations. To analyse the Hungarian and Romanian consumers’ knowledge level, their perceptions of the health benefi ts associated with fi bre, as well as the recognition of the potential information sources, a survey questionnaire was conducted with the total of 713 consumers. Results showed that the level of knowledge about DFs was not adequate. Internet was found to be widely used and identifi ed as one of the most appropriate information sources to encourage the consumption of DF. It was a favourable result that three-quarter of the respondents was interested in the topic of healthy food consumption; however, just less than half of them took into consideration the label information during their shopping decisions. To increase the consumption of DF and to support the responsibility and conscious consumer decisions steps must to be done (e.g. education of children, pointing out of the sources). For this purpose, modern information technology and communication channels fi tting to the consumers’ cultural and personal particularities can be utilized.

Hábitos de consumo de alimentos enriquecidos com fitoesteróis

O interesse crescente pelos alimentos enriquecidos com esteróis vegetais deve-se ao fato de que estes diminuem as concentrações sanguíneas de colesterol sem efeitos adversos colaterais. Neste contexto, o enriquecimento de alimentos com esteróis vegetais poderá constituir uma ajuda importante na proteção da população contra a aterosclerose e doenças cardiovasculares. As informações sobre o comportamento alimentar são praticamente inexistentes em Portugal, pelo que se torna indispensável perceber a importância dos produtos funcionais nos hábitos de consumo. O presente trabalho pretendeu avaliar os hábitos de consumo de uma população de Viseu relativamente aos leites fermentados com baixo teor de gordura enriquecidos com esteróis vegetais e margarinas enriquecidas com fitoesteróis. Para cada produto foram feitos 577 inquéritos a indivíduos escolhidos aleatoriamente numa população que efetuava as suas compras semanais em vários hipermercados da cidade de Viseu. Inquiriu-se sobre vários parâmetros respeitantes a leites fermentados com baixo teor de gordura enriquecidos com esteróis vegetais e margarinas enriquecidas com fitoesteróis. Os resultados preliminares obtidos mostraram que, para a maioria dos inquiridos a compra dos alimentos era condicionada pelo seu custo elevado. Os indivíduos que afirmaram consumir os produtos eram maioritariamente mulheres com idade entre os 40≤65 anos. Relativamente aos parâmetros avaliados não se observam diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre ambos os sexos. Estes inquiridos ingeriam maioritariamente o alimento 1vez/dia (leites fermentados, margarina (fatia/dia)) fazendo esta escolha por apresentarem colesterol elevado ou por lhes atribuírem efeitos preventivos para a doença. Para além disso quer os que estavam sob terapêutica antidislipidémica quer os que não estavam declararam observar efeitos positivos na hipercolesterolemia. Parece evidente que são as preocupações com a saúde que influenciam a aquisição dos leites fermentados com baixo teor de gordura e margarinas enriquecidos com fitoesteróis. As declarações feitas sobre os níveis de colesterol, ingestão declarada e efeitos observados parecem sugerir uma ingestão com quantidade e frequência suficiente. Também a faixa etária que mais consome parece estar de acordo com as recomendações. A elevada taxa de não consumidores encontrada no estudo e que alega não necessidade e descrença de efeitos mesmo quando tal não acontece pode atribuir-se à escassez de informação nos rótulos e/ou custo acrescido do produto. Esclarecer sobre a importância da inclusão destes produtos na dieta sozinhos ou como coadjuvantes de terapêutica instituída poderá ser uma forma de conseguir o equilíbrio na gestão da hipercolesterolemia.