DESCRITORES Rotulagem nutricional Alimentos industrializados Idosos KEYWORDS Nutrition labeling Processed foods ElderlyVerifica-se a necessidade de promover ações educativas que permitam o entendimento das informações para que possa contribuir na escolha de uma alimentação adequada através da rotulagem de alimentos. Backgound and Objectives:An understanding of nutrition labeling can be an effective way to help consumers make healthy food choices. However, reading the labels need to be better assessed so that it becomes more understandable, especially for the elderly. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge of elderly consumers about processed food labels. Methods:Cross-sectional study of elderly patrons of a physical activity program at Ararigboia Park, in Porto Alegre/RS. The survey was performed through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive data analysis was performed. Results: A total of 96 elderly individuals were interviewed, of which 86% did not read the information on food labels, especially expiration date, (88%) (n = 84), and also considered the information difficult to read (82%) and did not have the habit of following the guidelines found on labels (64%). Conclusion: It is necessary to promote educational activities that enable the understanding of information that can contribute to the choice of an appropriate diet through food labeling.

BackgroundThe prevalence of childhood obesity increased worldwide in recent decades and is associated with risk factors for the development of chronic diseases in adulthood. Strategies for health promotion directed at an early age, with recommendation for healthy habits, can achieve good results. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative, simple and cost effective educational program to improve eating habits, physical activity and the knowledge about healthy habits in children, as well as in their families, as compared to routine outpatient care.Methods/DesignThe study is designed as a randomized clinical trial. Sample size is estimated to include 37 children, aged between 7 and 11 years, and their guardians, randomized for an intervention or a control group. The intervention will consist of 11-weekly group meetings of nutritional education and distribution of explanatory material, with orientation about healthy food and family habits and physical activity. Recreational, simple and low cost resources, carefully designed for the presentation of contents to the children and parents, will be used in all meetings. The control group will receive standard outpatient care based in individual clinical practice guidelines. The primary outcomes will be changes in dietary habits, knowledge and physical activity of children and adults. The secondary outcomes will be changes of body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and laboratory tests, in children and adults.DiscussionThe Happy Heart Study offers a playful and low-cost approach for the prevention and control of obesity and cardiovascular disease in children. Although this program is being planned for implementation in Brazil, the method can be adapted to many other countries.Registry of protocolProtocol registered on the site ensaiosclinicos.gov.br: RBR-8ttw64.

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