O031 - VISUALIZING HIDDEN NUTRIENTS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL ON ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD CHOICES

O031

VISUALIZING HIDDEN NUTRIENTS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL ON ULTRA-PROCESSED FOOD CHOICES

B. Kisioglu Halis^1,2,*, Y. Buyukdere^2,3, A. Akyol²

¹Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Duzce University, Duzce, ²Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Hacettepe University, Ankara, ³Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Selcuk University, Kulu, Konya, Türkiye

Rationale: The increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) is a major contributor to the obesity epidemic. Although nutrition facts tables provide detailed information, they often require substantial health literacy and cognitive effort to interpret. This study investigated whether visual representations (test tubes) of total sugar and fat content could influence UPF choices.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial (n=454; control: n=304; intervention: n=150) assessed choices across sweet and salty UPF categories in university students. Baseline characteristics, including gender distribution, mean BMI, and nutrition literacy, were comparable between groups (p>0.05). The control group viewed standard product packaging with nutrition facts tables. The intervention group was additionally exposed to physical test tubes representing the total sugar or fat content per package.

Results: No significant difference was observed in the total number of UPF selected between groups (p>0.05). Significant qualitative shifts in product selection occurred in the intervention group. In beverages, energy drink selection was significantly lower (2.0% vs. 6.9% control, p=0.039), with a shift from regular to light cola carbonated beverage (15.3% vs. 11.5%, p>0.05). In salty snacks, preference for lower-fat alternatives (pretzels) increased (39.7% vs. 30.4% control, p=0.037). Notably, visualizing fat content reduced the selection of light crackers in the intervention group (18.0% vs. 25.7% control, p=0.043).

Conclusion: Visualizing hidden nutrients in physical formats appears to be an effective behavioral nudge, promoting a shift toward lower-sugar/fat alternatives while challenging positive perception of light-labeled products. Translating abstract nutrition information into tangible formats may enhance consumer understanding, support healthier decision-making, and provide a robust strategy for obesogenic UPF environments.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared