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- Knowledge about consumption of milk: Study involving consumers from two European Countries – France and PortugalPublication . Bréjon, Marius; Tavares, Francisca; Florença, Sofia De Guiné E; C. Goncalves, J.; Barroca, Maria João; Guiné, RaquelMilk assumes a pivotal role in human nutrition from early stages of life, although when going into adulthood the consumption habits can vary according to different perceptions from the consumer or even due to the presence of some intolerances. In this context, this research focuses on the consumption knowledge about the composition and nutritional value of milk and its effect on human health. The objective was to investigate how informed are the French and Portuguese participants and detect similarities or differences according to the country. For this purpose, a questionnaire survey was set up to recruit participants from two countries: France and Portugal. The total number of participants was 543, of which 333 were French and 210 were Portuguese. For treatment of data basic statistics and tests were used to compare the results between the two countries, using the software SPSS. The results showed significant differences between the two countries in what concerns the participant’s knowledge about milk composition and nutritive value and also the effects of milk on human health. From the 13 items used to assess knowledge about composition and nutritive value of milk, significant differences were found between countries for six of them. Regarding the ten items used to evaluate the effects of milk on human health, significant differences were found for seven of them. As so, the knowledge about the effects on human health are more differentiated between the participants from France and Portugal, than the knowledge about the milk composition. Factor analysis showed six groups of questions, with good internal reliability (values of alpha varying from 0.707 to 0.825). It is concluded that participants from different countries, exposed to different environments (societal, political, or educational) can have different perceptions about milk and its effects on health.
- Milk consumption: comparison between Portuguese and French consumersPublication . Guiné, Raquel P. F.; Florença, Sofia De Guiné EBackground: Milk has been consumed since immemorial times by humans as a way to provide essential nutrients from infancy to adulthood. Humans consume milk from different animals, like sheep, goat, camel or buffalo, but cow milk is by far the most consumed. Aim: this work intended to focus on the consumption of milk among citizens form two European countries, Portugal and France. Method: This study was undertaken questionnaire survey, distributed online among citizens from France and Portugal, following all ethical principles. Data were collected only from adult citizens after informed consent. Results and discussion: A high percentage of participants in both countries regularly consume milk, on a daily dose varying from 125 to 250 mL. Some participants in both counties do not consume milk because they do not feel the need to. Additionally, a high number of French participants do not consume milk because they don’t like it, while in Portugal a high percentage do not consume due to reported lactose intolerance. The participants in both countries tend to consume semi-skimmed milk more often than other types of milk. Finally, significant differences were observed for the consumption of white brands, being these preferred in France, while in Portugal consumers tend to adopt more frequently the commercial brands. Conclusion: The results obtained allowed concluding that there are some common aspects regarding the milk consumption patterns among the participants form the two countries, but also highlighted some differences, that are relevant to better plan public policies in both countries.
- Consumer Knowledge about Dietary Relevance of Fruits and Vegetables: A Study Involving Participants from Portugal and FrancePublication . Le Turc, Nolwenn; Silva, Ana Jaquelina; Florença, Sofia De Guiné E; Raposo, António; C. Goncalves, J.; Lima, Maria João; Teixeira de Lemos, Edite; Guiné, RaquelFruits and vegetables are recommended as low-calorie foods that contribute to the proper intake of necessary micronutrients, macronutrients, and bioactive compounds with health benefits. However, the recommendations for the dietary intake of these foods fail to be attained in most European countries. For this reason, promoting more knowledge about the health effects of fruits and vegetables is essential to decrease the incidence of chronic diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the knowledge of the health benefits of fruits and vegetables among the population of Portugal and France. The present work involved a questionnaire survey of 639 participants (257 from Portugal and 382 from France). The results revealed that most participants were young females (68.9%) with good education (76%) and an average weight range. They consumed a varied diet (57%) but had body dissatisfaction (63.2%). The respondents had good knowledge about the health effects of fruits and vegetables. However, the French population knew more about the theme than the Portuguese. Portuguese individuals were more likely to have incomplete information. Gender and education significantly influenced knowledge levels, with females and highly educated individuals demonstrating greater understanding. Dissatisfaction with body weight drives individuals to seek nutrition information. This investigation enhances our comprehension of the factors that affect knowledge of vegetable and fruit consumption among young adults in Portugal and France. Moreover, it highlights the importance of implementing focused educational programs to enhance nutrition literacy, particularly for less-aware demographic groups. Going forward, a more in-depth analysis of these factors could assist in creating more efficient strategies to encourage healthier dietary habits and improve nutrition literacy among these communities.
- Fruit and vegetable consumption: Study involving Portuguese and French consumersPublication . LE TURC, Nolwenn; Silva, Ana Isabel; Florença, Sofia De Guiné E; C. Goncalves, J.; Lemos, Edite Teixeira de; Lima, M. J. Reis; Guiné, RaquelThe regular consumption of vegetables and fruits has been indicated as part of a healthy diet. They are considered healthy foods because they are sources of vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Adequate intake of these foods can reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases, like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and various types of cancer. The objective of the present study was to determine the consumption habits of vegetables and fruits in two different countries, Portugal and France. For this descriptive study, it was used a questionnaire survey, applied to individuals over 18 years old and carried out through the internet, being disseminated on social networks and by email. The sample was constituted by 640 participants (257 from Portugal and 383 from France). Statistical tools were used for the treatment of data, like the T-Test and chi-square test utilised to compare the results between Portuguese and French consumers. The results showed that the Portuguese eat out more often than the French. Portuguese and French like vegetables equally but the French eat more vegetables and fruit per week on average than the Portuguese. The French like soup as much as the Portuguese but the Portuguese eat soup more regularly than the French and prefer soup with cut pieces, unlike the French which prefer soup with grounded vegetables. The global consumption of vegetables and fruits is low in both countries and should be increased, most especially in Portugal, where the consumption is lower. In conclusion, despite some differences found across consumers according to country, the consumption of these foods is still below the recommendations of the World Health Organisation, and therefore, some more actions are necessary to incentivise a higher consumption of fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy lifestyle.
- Consumption of fruits and vegetables in two European countries: Results from a survey in France and PortugaPublication . Guiné, Raquel; Florença, Sofia De Guiné E; Teixeira-Lemos, Edite; Lima, M. J. Reis; C. Goncalves, J.Presently, there is a huge burden on public health due to a very high incidence of chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity, among others. The modern lifestyle, with inadequate diets and insufficient physical activity, is one of the most important factors contributing to this situation. Therefore, a healthy diet can have a very positive impact on global population health. Fruits and vegetables are staple foods with a typically low caloric value that still contribute to an adequate ingestion of the necessary macro and micronutrients and bioactive compounds, with a beneficial effect on health. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge about the consumption of fruits and vegetables in two countries, Portugal and France. A questionnaire survey was carried out on a sample of 639 adult participants (382 French and 257 Portuguese). The results revealed significant differences in knowledge between countries, sexes, level of education, body mass index, satisfaction with body weight, reasons for dissatisfaction with weight, and having a chronic disease. The most influential sociodemographic variable was the country, while the most influential behavioral variable was practicing a varied diet. Factor analysis identified two factors, one accounting for items in the scale that were true, and the other accounting for false items; both factors had acceptable internal consistency. Finally, cluster analysis showed three clusters of participants: The first included individuals with high knowledge of both factors, the second included individuals with low or very low knowledge, and the third cluster included individuals with partial knowledge, who only knew about true items. These results are relevant for planning educational measures aimed at improving knowledge and thus helping to promote healthier diets.
- Comparison of milk consumption habits across two European countries: Pilot study in Portugal and FrancePublication . Guiné, Raquel P. F.; Florença, Sofia de Guiné e; Bréjon, M.; Gonçalves, João Carlos; Ferreira, Manuela; Barroca, Maria João; Fragata, AnabelaHumans have been consuming milk obtained from domesticated animals since ancient times. Milk is a very complete food with important nutrients that can sup- port life. However, the patterns of consumption of milk have been shifting. On one hand, due to the increase in the number of people with intolerances (to lactose, for example), and on the other hand, due to some trend to avoid foods from animal origin owing to speci fi c convic- tion (like animal welfare, for example). In this context, this study focused on the milk consumption patterns in two di ff erent European Countries and the evaluation of pos- sible di ff erences. The object of study was milk obtained from animal sources, namely, cows, and no other derived fermented dairy products were included. For the develop- ment of the study, a questionnaire survey was applied to a sample of 542 participants from both countries using the Internet. The results showed that a high percentage of participants in both countries consume milk regularly, and the usual amount varies between 125 and 250 mL per day. For those who do not consume milk, the most relevant reason pointed out in both countries was because they do not feel the need to consume it. While in France, a high percentage also do not consume because they do not like milk, and in Portugal, a high percentage do not consume milk due to lactose intolerance. The most con- sumed is semi-skimmed milk, and preferences are towards consuming plain milk or consuming it with chocolate. Signi fi cant di ff erences were found in the consumption of white brands, which are preferred in France, while in Portugal, consumers prefer commercial brands, as well as the preferred package, tetra packs for the Portuguese, while the French prefer plastic bottles. In conclusion, although the results showed some similar trends among the participants from both countries, some di ff erences were also identi fi ed that can be used to better plan public policies in both countries.