Heterogeneity in the consumption of fresh and ultra-processed foods by the Brazilian population ≥10 years of age

Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2024 Dec 16:27:e240069. doi: 10.1590/1980-549720240069. eCollection 2024.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the heterogeneity in the consumption of fresh or minimally processed foods (FMPF) and ultra-processed foods (UPF) in the Brazilian population ≥10 years of age.

Methods: Cross-sectional study that used data from the food consumption and resident module from the 2017-2018 edition of the Family Budget Survey. Variables relating to sex, region of residence, household status and per capita family income in minimum wages were used. The outcomes were dietary participation in percentage of FMPF and UPF. Heterogeneity was assessed using random effects produced by linear mixed-effects models.

Results: Thirty-two random effects were obtained for the consumption of FMPF and 34 for UPF. Living in the urban area of the South and Southeast regions, as well as having a higher income were driving factors in the consumption of UPF and reducing the consumption of FMPF. Living in a rural area and having low income were mainly reducing factors in the consumption of UPF and driving factors in the consumption of FMPF.

Conclusions: The consumption of UPF and FMPF was determined by the set of factors that represented easy access to these foods, whether geographic or economic such as income.

Objetivo:: Avaliar a heterogeneidade no consumo de alimentos in natura ou minimamente processados (INMP) e alimentos ultraprocessados (AUP) da população brasileira ≥10 anos de idade.

Métodos:: Estudo transversal que utilizou dados do Inquérito Nacional de Alimentação e do módulo do morador da edição de 2017–2018 da Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares. Foram utilizadas as variáveis relativas ao sexo, à região de residência, situação domiciliar e renda familiar per capita em salários-mínimos. Os desfechos foram a participação dietética em percentual de INMP e AUP. A heterogeneidade foi avaliada por meio dos efeitos aleatórios (EA) produzidos por modelos lineares de efeitos mistos.

Resultados:: Foram obtidos 32 EA para o consumo de INMP e 34 para os AUP. Residir na zona urbana das regiões Sul e Sudeste bem como ter maior renda foram fatores impulsionadores no consumo de AUP e redutores no consumo de INMP. Residir na zona rural e ter baixa renda foram principalmente fatores redutores no consumo de AUP e impulsionadores no consumo de INMP.

Conclusões:: O consumo de AUP e INMP apresentaram forte heterogeneidade com bastante efeitos aleatórios encontrados para ambos. Fatores como renda e situação domiciliar foram os principais marcadores no consumo alimentar dos indivíduos.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brazil
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diet / statistics & numerical data
  • Diet Surveys
  • Fast Foods* / statistics & numerical data
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Female
  • Food Handling / statistics & numerical data
  • Food, Processed
  • Humans
  • Income / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data
  • Socioeconomic Factors*
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult