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. 2021 Aug 6:55:47.
doi: 10.11606/s1518-8787.2021055002833. eCollection 2021.

Consumption of ultra-processed foods and its association with sociodemographic factors in the adult population of the 27 Brazilian state capitals (2019)

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Caroline Dos Santos Costa  1   2 , Isabela Fleury Sattamini  2 , Eurídice Martinez Steele  1   2 , Maria Laura da Costa Louzada  2   3 , Rafael Moreira Claro  2   4 , Carlos Augusto Monteiro  2   3
Affiliations

Consumption of ultra-processed foods and its association with sociodemographic factors in the adult population of the 27 Brazilian state capitals (2019)

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Caroline Dos Santos Costa et al. Rev Saude Publica. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To describe the magnitude of consumption of ultra-processed foods in the adult population (≥ 18 years old) in the capitals of the 27 federative units of Brazil, as well as its association with sociodemographic variables.

Methods: Data used in this study stem from participants (n = 52,443) of the 2019 wave of the annual survey of the "National surveillance system for risk and protective factors for chronic diseases by telephone survey" (Vigitel). The consumption of ultra-processed foods was described based on a score, corresponding to the sum of positive responses to questions about consumption on the previous day of thirteen subgroups of ultra-processed foods frequently consumed in Brazil. Poisson regression models were used to describe the crude and adjusted associations between high consumption of ultra-processed foods (scores ≥ 5) and sex, age group, and level of education.

Results: The frequency of high consumption of ultra-processed foods was 18.2% (95% CI 17.4-19.0). With or without adjustment for other sociodemographic variables, this frequency was significantly lower in females and decreased linearly with age. In the crude analysis, there was an increase in the frequency of high consumption from the lower level to the intermediate level of education and a decrease in this consumption from the intermediate level to the upper level. In the analysis adjusted for sex and age, the frequency of high consumption of ultra-processed foods was significantly lower at the higher level of education (12 or more years of study), with no differences between the other levels.

Conclusion: Ultra-processed foods are consumed with high frequency in the adult Brazilian population in the 27 capitals of the federation. Being male, younger and having less education than university are conditions that increase, independently, the consumption of these foods.

OBJETIVO: Descrever a magnitude do consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados na população adulta (≥ 18 anos) das capitais das 27 unidades federativas do Brasil e sua associação com variáveis sociodemográficas.

MÉTODOS: Os dados utilizados neste estudo provêm dos participantes (n = 52.443) da onda 2019 do inquérito anual do “Sistema nacional de vigilância de fatores de risco e proteção para doenças crônicas por inquérito telefônico” (Vigitel). O consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados foi descrito com base em escore correspondente à somatória de respostas positivas para questões sobre o consumo no dia anterior de treze subgrupos de alimentos ultraprocessados frequentemente consumidos no Brasil. Modelos de regressão de Poisson foram utilizados para descrever as associações bruta e ajustada do alto consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados (escores ≥ 5) com sexo, faixa etária e nível de escolaridade.

RESULTADOS: A frequência de alto consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados foi 18,2% (IC95% 17,4–19,0). Com ou sem o ajuste para as demais variáveis sociodemográficas, essa frequência foi significativamente menor no sexo feminino e diminuiu linearmente com a idade. Na análise bruta, evidenciou-se aumento na frequência de alto consumo do nível inferior para o nível intermediário de escolaridade e diminuição desse consumo do nível intermediário para o superior. Na análise ajustada por sexo e idade, a frequência de alto consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados foi significativamente menor no nível superior de escolaridade (12 ou mais anos de estudo), não havendo diferenças entre os demais níveis.

CONCLUSÃO: Alimentos ultraprocessados são consumidos com alta frequência na população brasileira adulta das 27 capitais da federação. Pertencer ao sexo masculino, ser mais jovem e ter escolaridade inferior à universitária são condições que aumentam, de forma independente, o consumo desses alimentos.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure
Figure. Distribution (%) of the population according to the ultra-processed food consumption scorea. Adult population (≥ 18 years old) of the capitals of the 27 federative units of Brazil, 2019 (n = 52,443).
Figura
Figura. Distribuição (%) da população segundo escore de consumo de alimentos ultraprocessadosa. População adulta (≥ 18 anos) das capitais das 27 unidades federativas do Brasil, 2019 (n = 52.443).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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