El comportamiento alimentario y el conocimiento del etiquetado de alimentos: diferencias entre mujeres y hombres

Obesity is a worldwide public health problem, and this disease is related to eating behavior and unhealthy eating habits of individuals. Concrete actions have been implemented in Mexico, such as the modification of food labeling regulations, which established a new front-of-package labeling system. The objective of this study is to identify differences in the dimensions of eating behavior and knowledge of food labeling between women and men working in the food industry in the State of Coahuila, Mexico. A quantitative, cross-sectional study with a descriptive, correlational, and comparative scope was conducted, using convenience sampling. An Eating Behavior Scale and Food Labeling Knowledge survey were applied to workers in the food industry, with 58.6% men and 41.4% women aged 18 to 60 years. The results indicate that there are statistically significant differences between men and women in eating behavior, specifically in food preparation, with higher scores in favor of men. Regarding the preference for food intake, it was observed that men have a greater preference than women for dairy and packaged foods, as well as for the habitual consumption of snacks during the main meal of the day. Regarding knowledge of food labeling, it was observed that there are significant differences in the knowledge of seals, with scores in favor of women. In conclusion, workers have a basic knowledge of food labeling and have a positive eating behavior, however, the existence of unhealthy habits related to the preference for a food can put their health at risk