Rest-ingestion index before and during carrying out waste awareness activities in a Food and Nutrition Unit

Abstract

The objective was to analyze and compare the rest-ingestion index before and during an educational campaign on food waste for healthy people in a hospital Food and Nutrition Unit (FNU) in Maceió, Alagoas. This is a descriptive study whose data collection took place in the hospital cafeteria, for 14 days, divided equally into two periods: 7 days before and 7 days during food waste awareness activities. The FNU has an intermediate type menu. Data were collected on the total weight of preparations, leftovers, and leftover food from the lunch meal. The rest-ingestion index and the number of people who could be fed with the wasted food were calculated. A descriptive analysis of the variables was carried out. T-test was carried out to check the differences before and during the awareness campaign. The significance level assumed was 5%. The present study obtained authorization from the FNU to be carried out. It was observed that, before the awareness campaign, the average values of the rest-ingestion index were 10.4% (±1.7) and that, during the educational campaign, these values reduced significantly, to 7.3 % (±1.5). The average number of people who could be fed with food leftovers before the campaign was 17.4 (±2.6). During the campaign, this value was reduced to 11.7 (±3.9). A significant reduction in rest-ingestion values is noted throughout the action activities. It is important to highlight that carrying out activities on food waste must be continuous.