Pictorial instrument of food and nutrition education for promoting healthy eating

ABSTRACT To trace the course of building a pictorial instrument that explores semiotic resources about food and nutrition education. The instrument is directed at the treatment and prevention of obesity, considering the food and nutrition problems of the Brazilian population. The criteria for photo production were: images that could cause visual impact and transmit applied nutrition information, insinuating positive and negative eating practices for promoting healthy eating, and preventing and treating obesity. Themes were created to guide photo production, and preparations, food composition tables, and food labels were used for composing the images. Focus groups were conducted with nonobese and obese women, and dietitians to evaluate image comprehension. The pictorial instrument totaled to 20 photos, with 5 photos in each of the following themes: 'Sweet life, being aware of sugar', about sugar content in sweets and drinks; 'Tasty food with little fat', about fat content in foods; 'Eating well by making the best choices', about food replacements; and 'I take care of myself by eating healthy food, about encouraging fruit and vegetable intakes. The photos contain food, meals, and semiotic resources. The pictorial instrument describes four relevant themes to approach food problems in the Brazilian population. It can easily be used for both preventing and treating obesity, and for promoting healthy eating.

【摘要】本研究旨在梳理一款用于探索食品与营养教育符号学资源（semiotic resources）的可视化工具的开发历程。该工具针对巴西人群面临的食品与营养问题，聚焦肥胖的治疗与预防。照片制作的遴选标准为：需具备视觉冲击力、传递应用营养学信息，且能暗示有助于健康饮食、防控肥胖的正向与负向饮食行为。研究制定了指导照片拍摄的主题框架，并依托食品制备实例、食品成分表及食品标签完成图像创作。研究组织非肥胖女性、肥胖女性及营养师开展焦点小组访谈，以评估图像的理解效果。该可视化工具共计收录20张照片，四大主题各占5张：其一为「甜蜜生活，关注糖分（Sweet life, being aware of sugar）」，围绕糖果与饮品中的糖分含量展开；其二为「低脂美味（Tasty food with little fat）」，聚焦食品中的脂肪含量；其三为「明智选择，健康饮食（Eating well by making the best choices）」，探讨食品替代方案；其四为「健康饮食，呵护自我（I take care of myself by eating healthy food）」，旨在鼓励提升果蔬摄入量。照片内容涵盖食品、餐食及符号学资源。该可视化工具围绕巴西人群的食品问题设置了四大针对性主题，可便捷应用于肥胖防控与健康饮食推广工作。