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Abstract Background Implementation science has scant evidence of how dietary guidelines can be developed into actionable behavior-change messages and even less evidence on their motivating potential and perceived effect on behavior. This may explain the widening gap between nutrition science and individual behavior and the low uptake of dietary recommendations by the population for which they are intended. This study aimed to: (i) assess participant receptivity and acceptance of behavior-change messages; (ii) determine if the behavior-change strategies used in the messages and the main theme they relayed influenced participant evaluation of the messages; (iii) explore if evaluations varied by participants’ stage of behavior-change; and (iv) elucidate reasons for non-compliance with the messages. Methods An online survey was used to test the face validity and participant receptivity of 28 behavior-change messages, among a diverse sample of 2400 adult Brazilians. Participants’ understanding of the messages, message likeability and convincingness, and the probability that participants would change behavior in accordance with the message were measured, along with reasons for non-compliance. Results The mean overall scores suggested that participants liked the messages, understood them, and found them convincing. As expected, the probability of complying with the messages scored lower compared to other study outcomes. Messages about shopping practices, cooking practices, and planning and organization performed better than those on other themes. Participants were more receptive to messages that included behavior-change strategies like goals, social identity, and pleasure, however, the probability of compliance was higher for messages with constructs that emphasized health and cost consequences. Participants trying to change their diet or seeking resources to support healthier dietary choices had greater engagement with and receptivity to the messages. Time and effort, and high costs associated with making healthy changes, were barriers to compliance. Conclusions Messages may help improve individual understanding, stimulate interest in a topic and get participants engaged, particularly if messages are goal-oriented and highlight the pleasure and collective identity of these food-related behaviors. However, messages stop short of addressing the structural, social, and economic barriers to healthy diets. These aspects will need to be targeted through legislative action for sustainable behavior change.

Abstract Background Dietary Guidelines are an important tool for population health promotion efforts. However, current surveillance data suggest that only a small minority of the population meet the 2014 Brazilian Dietary Guidelines (BDG) recommendations. Translating recommendations into practice may not be immediately clear and behavior-change messages guiding the behaviors that need to be changed and identifying substitute practices to meet a specific recommendation, are required. This study details the methods undertaken to develop and refine messages supporting the adoption of healthy dietary choices and behaviors in adults, as outlined in the BDG. Methods A sequential, five-step, mixed-methods approach, determined a priori, was followed for designing and refining messages. These included: (1) content extraction; (2) audience analysis; (3) input from an expert review panel; (4) message development and message refinement; and a (5) test of content validity. Results The content extraction process led to the identification of 63 excerpts from the BDG, organized into themes. The audience analysis highlighted barriers to healthy eating that included lack of time (to eat, to cook), difficulty in accessing healthy food, the convenience and the ubiquitous marketing of ultra-processed foods. Twenty of the 63 DG excerpts reviewed by the expert panel were identified as being a priority for message development and total of 111 messages were developed. Messages were short, structured to be one-sided, conveyed the most important information at the beginning (anticlimactic), used simple language and were explicit in the information they relayed. They were positive and gain-framed and used an empathetic, solution- or substitution-based tone and were presented in the active voice. The messages focused on goals and skill development, behavior regulation, incentivized positive practices as time and/or cost saving. Content validity testing helped further messages and reduced the number of messages from 111 to 40. Conclusions This study provides the blue-print for the phase-wise development of messages that synthesize the key recommendations of the food-based BDG and communicate the adoption of behaviors and goals that are consistent with it’s message. It details methods which could be adapted and replicated for message development in other contexts.

Abstract Background Changes in food environments have the potential to affect consumption, nutritional status, and health, and understanding these changes is of utmost importance. This study, therefore, aimed to examine the fluctuation of food stores that sell fruits and vegetables over five years in the health promotion service area of Primary Health Care (PHC) in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods This was an ecological study that used data from a food environment audit conducted in the realm of Brazilian PHC. Buffers of 1 mile (equivalent to 1600 m) were created around health promotion services to define food environments. All food stores and open-air food markets that sold fruits and vegetables (FV) within this buffer area were considered eligible. The data collection was performed during two periods: the baseline, in 2013, and after five years, in 2018. This study compares the fluctuation by the type of stores and according to the health vulnerability index (HVI). Results After 5 years, 35.2% of the stores were stable; 154 stores were closed, and 155 were opened. The stability was greater in low-vulnerability areas, and the fluctuation differed by type of store only for areas with high vulnerability. The number of supermarket decreased in high HVI territories; and local stores, showed greater stability when compared to specialized FV markets. Conclusions The differences in store fluctuations according to the vulnerability of areas demonstrate the importance of food supply policies considering the local characteristics to reduce inequities of access to healthy foods.

Abstract Background Excessive sodium consumption is one of the leading dietary risk factors for non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), mediated by high blood pressure. Brazil has implemented voluntary sodium reduction targets with food industries since 2011. This study aimed to analyse the potential health and economic impact of these sodium reduction targets in Brazil from 2013 to 2032. Methods We developed a microsimulation of a close-to-reality synthetic population (IMPACT NCD-BR ) to evaluate the potential health benefits of setting voluntary upper limits for sodium content as part of the Brazilian government strategy. The model estimates CVD deaths and cases prevented or postponed, and disease treatment costs. Model inputs were informed by the 2013 National Health Survey, the 2008–2009 Household Budget Survey, and high-quality meta-analyses, assuming that all individuals were exposed to the policy proportionally to their sodium intake from processed food. Costs included costs of the National Health System on CVD treatment and informal care costs. The primary outcome measures of the model are cardiovascular disease cases and deaths prevented or postponed over 20 years (2013–2032), stratified by age and sex. Results The study found that the application of the Brazilian voluntary sodium targets for packaged foods between 2013 and 2032 could prevent or postpone approximately 110,000 CVD cases (95% uncertainty intervals (UI): 28,000 to 260,000) among men and 70,000 cases among women (95% UI: 16,000 to 170,000), and also prevent or postpone approximately 2600 CVD deaths (95% UI: − 1000 to 11,000), 55% in men. The policy could also produce a net cost saving of approximately US$ 220 million (95% UI: US$ 54 to 520 million) in medical costs to the Brazilian National Health System for the treatment of CHD and stroke and save approximately US$ 71 million (95% UI: US$ 17 to170 million) in informal costs. Conclusion Brazilian voluntary sodium targets could generate substantial health and economic impacts. The reduction in sodium intake that was likely achieved from the voluntary targets indicates that sodium reduction in Brazil must go further and faster to achieve the national and World Health Organization goals for sodium intake.