Asociación entre el conocimiento del etiquetado octogonal y el consumo de alimentos procesados en estudiantes de una institución privada de San Juan de Miraflores, Perú

Introduction. Low awareness of the octagonal label and the rise in processed food consumption among students pose a public health challenge due to their association with unhealthy eating patterns. Objective. To determine the association between knowledge of the octagonal label and the consumption of processed foods among students. Materials and methods. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 90 students using a census sample. Knowledge of the octagonal label was assessed using a 10-item questionnaire, with 2 points assigned for each correct answer. Knowledge was classified as low (0–10 points) or high (11–20 points). The other variable, consumption of processed foods, was measured using a 62-item questionnaire with an ordinal scale. Descriptive statistics and correlation tests were applied according to the data distribution, assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Results. Inferential analysis using Spearman’s rho revealed a low but significant positive relationship between knowledge and consumption of processed foods (rho = 0.391; p < 0.05), indicating that, although an association exists, its magnitude is low. Discussion. The low strength of the association suggests that, apart from knowledge, other factors may influence the consumption of processed foods. Conclusion. It was determined that, although there is a significant relationship between the variables, a higher level of knowledge does not guarantee a reduction in the consumption of processed foods.