Abstract To enable consumers to make informed decisions based on communications about food risks and particularly intake recommendations, it is essential that individuals understand the information presented to them. Thus, research into the way people make sense and understand newly received information is important from a public policy perspective. This is the case when dealing with scientific information destined for the general public, such as recommended food intake serving sizes provided in numerical format. Hence, this study analysed responses from exposure to information concerning red meat intake risks and a numerical serving size recommendation. The study analysed: 1) participants’ reported difficulties in understanding a recommended serving size of red meat (70 g/day); and 2) behavioural indicators of deliberation strategies used to manage uncertainty and make sense of the numerical information. A mixed qualitative-quantitative method collected data from an older adults’ sample through single in-person deliberative sessions. While quantitative measures indicated that the information was perceived as moderately easy to understand; a qualitative thematic content analysis with a closed coding procedure evidenced participants’ implicit difficulties in understanding the quantity recommendation. “Commonplace” arguments (e.g. using general arguments and remarks applicable to any context/theme) emerged as the most commonly used deliberative strategy, along with various other individual strategies apparently intended to reduce uncertainty about quantities. This type of deliberative approach provides a step towards developing policies to reduce citizens’ uncertainty when exposed to scientific information in numerical formats. Such deliberative strategies may also promote increased citizen engagement in communication activities and health policy making.

中文翻译：

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为公众提供科学服务：老年人样本对肉类食用份量建议的审议

摘要 为了使消费者能够根据有关食品风险的交流做出明智的决定，尤其是摄入量建议，个人理解提供给他们的信息至关重要。因此，从公共政策的角度来看，研究人们理解和理解新收到的信息的方式很重要。在处理面向公众的科学信息时就是这种情况，例如以数字格式提供的推荐食物摄入量。因此，本研究分析了暴露于有关红肉摄入风险和数值份量建议的信息的反应。该研究分析了：1) 参与者报告在理解推荐的红肉份量（70 克/天）方面存在困难；2) 用于管理不确定性和理解数字信息的审议策略的行为指标。一种混合的定性定量方法通过单独的面对面审议会议从老年人样本中收集数据。虽然定量测量表明信息被认为中等容易理解；带有封闭编码程序的定性主题内容分析证明了参与者在理解数量建议方面的隐含困难。“普通”论点（例如，使用适用于任何背景/主题的一般论点和评论）成为最常用的审议策略，以及显然旨在减少数量不确定性的各种其他个人策略。这种协商方法为制定政策以减少公民在接触数字格式的科学信息时的不确定性迈出了一步。这种协商策略还可以促进公民更多地参与交流活动和卫生政策制定。