Nikodijevic Cassandra J, Probst Yasmine C, Tan Sze-Yen, Neale Elizabeth P
School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong2522, NSW, Australia.
School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University, Geelong3220, VIC, Australia.
Public Health Nutr. 2025 Jun 20;28(1):e111. doi: 10.1017/S136898002510058X.
Nut consumption is low, with concern regarding weight gain as a barrier to intake. However, evidence indicates no association between nut consumption and body weight. The metabolisable energy of nuts may partly explain this phenomenon. This study aims to qualitatively explore perceptions of presenting nut metabolisable energy on nutrition labels, and the potential influence this may have on consumption.
Semi-structured focus groups and interviews, with an inductive, reflexive approach to thematic analysis.
Online (Australia).
18 years or older, with either no formal nutrition education (consumer group) or formal training and working in nutrition/dietetics, public health, food industry, food regulation or nut growing (stakeholder group).
Four focus groups and nine interviews consisting of twenty participants ( 8 consumers, 12 stakeholders) in total were conducted. Five major themes were generated: (i) knowledge of nuts varies, and the healthfulness of nuts is conditional on use and preparation, (ii) nuts are versatile in the diet; the intake is low, (iii) consumers perceive over-eating nuts leads to weight gain, while stakeholders consider the whole dietary pattern, (iv) nutrition labelling is confusing for consumers and needs to be transparent and positively framed, if used and (v) knowing nut metabolisable energy will have limited perceived impact on nut consumption and advice and is dependent on the individual and product.
The findings suggest that perceptions of presenting nut metabolisable energy on labels are multi-layered, indicating this strategy may not be straightforward in resolving concerns about weight. Other strategies should be considered to promote nut consumption.
坚果的摄入量较低，人们担心体重增加会成为食用坚果的障碍。然而，有证据表明食用坚果与体重之间并无关联。坚果的可代谢能量或许能部分解释这一现象。本研究旨在定性探索在营养标签上标注坚果可代谢能量的看法，以及这可能对食用量产生的潜在影响。
采用半结构化焦点小组和访谈，并运用归纳、反思性的主题分析方法。
在线（澳大利亚）。
年龄在18岁及以上，其中一部分没有接受过正规营养教育（消费者组），另一部分接受过正规培训且从事营养/饮食学、公共卫生、食品行业、食品监管或坚果种植工作（利益相关者组）。
总共进行了四个焦点小组和九次访谈，共有二十名参与者（8名消费者，12名利益相关者）。产生了五个主要主题：（i）对坚果的了解各不相同，坚果的健康程度取决于食用方式和加工方式；（ii）坚果在饮食中用途广泛，但摄入量较低；（iii）消费者认为过量食用坚果会导致体重增加，而利益相关者则考虑整体饮食模式；（iv）营养标签让消费者感到困惑，如果要使用，标签需要透明且表述积极；（v）了解坚果的可代谢能量对坚果食用量和建议的影响有限，且这取决于个人和产品。
研究结果表明，对于在标签上标注坚果可代谢能量的看法是多层次的，这表明该策略在解决体重相关问题上可能并非简单直接。应考虑其他策略来促进坚果的消费。
