Trends in Ultra-Processed Food Purchases from 1984 to 2016 in Mexican Households

Abstract

Global trade agreements have shaped the food system in ways that alter the availability, accessibility, affordability, and desirability of ready-to-eat foods. We assessed the time trends of ultra-processed foods purchases in Mexican households from 1984 to 2016. Cross-sectional data from 15 rounds of the National Income and Expenditure Survey (1984, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016) were analyzed. Food and beverage purchases collected in a daily record instrument (over seven days) were classified according to their degree of processing according to the NOVA food framework: (1) Unprocessed or minimally processed foods; (2) processed culinary ingredients; (3) processed foods; and (4) ultra-processed foods. From 1984 to 2016, the total daily energy purchased decreased from 2428.8 to 1875.4 kcal/Adult Equivalent/day, there was a decrease of unprocessed or minimally processed foods (from 69.8% to 61.4% kcal) and processed culinary ingredients (from 14.0% to 9.0% kcal), and an increase of processed foods (from 5.7% to 6.5% kcal) and ultra-processed foods (from 10.5% to 23.1% kcal). Given that ultra-processed foods purchases have doubled in the last three decades and unprocessed or minimally processed foods purchased have gradually declined, future strategies should promote the consumption of unprocessed or minimally processed foods, and discourage ultra-processed foods availability and accessibility in Mexico.

Keywords: Mexican households; purchases; trends; ultra-processed foods.

Figure 1

Trends over time in daily energy purchased (kcal/AE/day) of (A) NOVA food groups and (B) ultra-processed foods subgroups (ENIGH1984–2016).

Figure 2

Trends in daily energy purchased contribution of ultra-processed foods stratified by (A) household composition, (B) head of household educational level, (C) household women’s occupation, (D) household income, (E) residence area and (F) region (ENIGH 1984–2016). Adjusted by household size and all other variables presented in the figure. * Value in 2016 was different (p < 0.05) vs. value in reference category. ^† Change from 1984 to 2016 was different (p < 0.05) vs. change in reference category.

Figure 2

Trends in daily energy purchased contribution of ultra-processed foods stratified by (A) household composition, (B) head of household educational level, (C) household women’s occupation, (D) household income, (E) residence area and (F) region (ENIGH 1984–2016). Adjusted by household size and all other variables presented in the figure. * Value in 2016 was different (p < 0.05) vs. value in reference category. ^† Change from 1984 to 2016 was different (p < 0.05) vs. change in reference category.