Características nutricionales y composición de las galletas disponibles en el mercado español y de las galletas dirigidas a la población infantil Translated title: Nutritional characteristics and composition of the biscuits available in the Spanish market and biscuits marketed to children

Abstract

Introducción: en España existe un elevado consumo de galletas en la población infantil. Son productos ultraprocesados de alto contenido energético y densidad calórica, en general con azúcar añadido y grasas poco saludables. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal sobre características y composición nutricional de galletas disponibles en supermercados españoles y comparativo entre las dirigidas al público infantil y el resto. Resultados: se analizaron 350 galletas: valor energético medio 471,86 ± 35,83 kcal/100 g. El 53,1% contenían grasas saturadas, aceite de palma el 47,1% y azúcar añadido el 90%. Mediana de azúcares 25 g/100 g (rango intercuartílico [RI]: 20-33). Mediana de fibra alimentaria 3,2 g/100 g (RI: 2,4-5,2); 86 galletas mostraban publicidad sobre fibra y 95,34% indicaban la cantidad, mediana de 5,45 g/100 g (RI: 4-7,9). Se analizaron 53 galletas (15,1%) dirigidas al público infantil. Valor energético medio 466,47 ± 19,31 kcal/100 g. El aceite de oliva/girasol alto oleico (GAO) fue la grasa principal en el 67,9%. Aceite de palma presente en el 37,7% y azúcar añadido en 98,1% (media 25,88 ± 6,82 g/100 g). Mediana de fibra alimentaria 2,9 g/100 g (RI: 2,27-3,42). El 75,5% mostraron publicidad de reclamo. Las galletas dirigidas al público infantil contenían azúcar añadido en mayor porcentaje (98,1 frente a 88,6%; p = 0,033), menos fibra (mediana 2,9 g/100 g frente a 3,5 g/100 g; p = 0,005), aceite de oliva/GAO en mayor porcentaje (67,9 frente a 36,7%; p <0,001) y más publicidad de reclamo (75,5 frente a 45,5%; p <0,001). Conclusiones: las galletas dirigidas al público infantil contienen azúcar añadido, elevado contenido calórico, grasas saturadas en más del 37% y publicidad de reclamo en elevado porcentaje. Por otro lado, se observa el uso de grasas monoinsaturadas en más del 50%. La información de este estudio podría facilitar intervenciones de salud pública e incentivar a los fabricantes para reformular sus productos.

Translated abstract

Introduction: the consumption of biscuits is high in the Spanish paediatric population. Biscuits are ultra-processed products with a high energy content and energy density and generally contain added sugars and unhealthy fats. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study on the characteristics and nutritional composition of biscuits available in Spanish supermarkets, and compared biscuits marketed to children to all other biscuits. Results: we analysed a sample of 350 biscuits. The mean energy content was 471.86 ± 35.83 kcal/100 g. Saturated fats were used in 53.1%, palm oil in 47.1% and added sugars in 90% (median content, 25 g/100 g; IQR: 20-33). The median dietary fibre content was 3.2 g/100 g (IQR: 2.4-5.2). The packaging of 86 advertised that the product contained fibre, specifying the total fibre content in 95.34% of cases, with a median value of 5.45 g/100 g (IQR: 4-7.9). Of the total products, 53 (15.1%) were marketed to children, and their mean energy content was 466.47 ± 19.31 kcal/100 g. The main fat was olive oil or high oleic sunflower oil (HOSO) in 67.9%, and palm oil was present in 20 (37.7%). There were added sugars in 98.1% (mean sugar content, 25.88 ± 6.82 g/100 g). The median dietary fibre content was 2.9 g/100 g (IQR 2.27-3.42). The packaging of 75.5% featured some form of advertising. The comparative analysis showed that a greater percentage of biscuits specifically marketed to children had added sugars (98.1% vs 88.6%, p = 0.033) and that these biscuits had a lower fibre content (median, 2.9 g/100 g vs. 3.5 g/100 g, p = 0.005), that a greater percentage contained olive oil or HOSO (67.9% vs 36.7%, p <0.001), and a greater percentage featured promotional advertising in their packaging (75.5% vs 45.5%, p <0.001). Conclusions: biscuits marketed to the paediatric population had added sugars and a high energy content; more than 37% had saturated fats and a high proportion featured advertising in the packaging. On the other hand, we found that monounsaturated fats were used in more than 50% of these products. The findings of this study could serve as reference to guide the development of public health interventions or product reformulation by manufacturers.