Early consumption of ultra-processed foods among children under 2 years old in Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the complementary food consumption according to the extent and purpose of food processing based on NOVA classification among children aged 6-24 months of Federal District, Brazil.

Design: We performed a cross-sectional study using a 24-h recall to estimate the daily energy intake and nutrients according to NOVA classification. We conducted a linear regression to assess the association between the processed and ultra-processed foods (UPF) energy intake and the daily energy intake from saturated fat, daily energy intake from total sugars and daily intake of sodium.

Setting: Federal District, Brazil.

Participants: Five hundred and thirty-eight children aged between 6 and 24 months attended at Primary Health Care Units from March 2017 to March 2018.

Results: On average, children aged from 6 to 12 and from 12 to 24 months consumed 2393 and 4054 kJ/d, respectively, and processed and UPF represented one-third of dietary energy intake. Group 2 (processed and UPF) was higher carbohydrate contributors, and lower protein, fibre and most micronutrient contributors, when compared with Group 1 (unprocessed, minimally processed foods and processed culinary ingredients). In addition, the higher the energy intake from processed and UPF, the higher was the daily energy intake from saturated fat, daily energy intake from total sugar and daily intake of sodium.

Conclusion: Children are being exposed early to processed and UPF and their share affect the diet's nutritional quality.

Keywords: Children; Complementary feeding; NOVA classification; Ultra-processed foods.