Impact of a Nutritional Intervention on Food Practices and Knowledge about Ultra-Processed Foods among Bus Drivers

Abstract

Introduction: The bus driver performs a job that increases exposure to the risks of developing foodrelated illnesses. Thus, the need to promote actions to expand the knowledge of this public on this topic emerges.

Objective: To assess the impact of a nutritional intervention on dietary practices and knowledge about ultra-processed foods among a group of bus drivers.

Materials and methods: Quantitative approach withquasi-experimental design. Participants answered questionnaires about food consumption and knowledge in relation to the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population and ultraprocessed foods, before and after the intervention.

Results: The sample comprised 49 male drivers, with anaverage age of 42.9 years (SD= 9.0). There was anincrease in the frequency of consumption of beans (p=0.047) and fresh fruits (p=0.001) and a reduction in the frequency of consumption of sweetened drinks (p=0.002) after the intervention. The knowledge level about the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population and ultra-processed foods increased after the intervention (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Food and nutrition education actions that promote the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population, even in the short term, can be effective in stimulating and promoting the adoption of healthier eating habits among bus drivers.