Association between Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods and Sociodemographic Characteristics in Brazilian Adolescents

Abstract

Background: The consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with several negative health outcomes. Studies on adolescents have shown that this population has a high consumption of these foods, especially in high-income countries. However, there are no studies on the types of ultra-processed foods consumed. The present study evaluated secondary data from a representative sample of the National School Health Survey, the consumption of ultra-processed foods by 159,245 Brazilian adolescents. Methods: Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire using a mobile device. A Poisson regression model was used to assess the prevalence of ultra-processed food consumption and its correlation with sociodemographic characteristics. Results: The consumption of ultra-processed foods was significant among Brazilian adolescents, and almost half of the participants reported consumption the day before. We observed that sociodemographic characteristics such as school type, race/skin color, region, municipality type, age, living with mother, living with father, and maternal education level were associated with greater or lesser consumption of ultra-processed foods. Adolescents who study in private schools, are female, white, and live in non-capital cities consume more ultra-processed foods. Conclusions: Access to in natura and minimally processed foods must be on the agenda of governments and encouraged by food and nutrition education to guarantee the right to adequate and healthy food.

Consumption of ultra-processed foods and low dietary diversity are associated with sedentary and unhealthy eating behaviors: A nationwide study with Brazilian Schoolchildren

“…behaviors on schoolchildren. We discovered an association between food consumption and eating and sedentary behaviors, similar to studies with adults [13,14], adolescents [15][16][17][18][19], and early childhood children [22][23][24]. In this study, approximately 10% of children were in the highest risk group, considered when children reported high consumption of ultra-processed foods (fourth quartile of the NOVA score) at the same time as low dietary diversity (first quartile of dietary diversity score).…”

“…So far, no comprehensive national studies have examined food consumption, eating and sedentary behaviors among schoolchildren or their interconnectedness. The association between food consumption and behaviors has already been evaluated in other audiences, such as adults [13,14], adolescents [15][16][17][18][19], university students [20], pregnant women [21], and early childhood children [22][23][24]. Consequently, our study aims to fill this gap by investigating the association between food consumption-emphasizing on the consumption of ultra-processed foods and dietary diversity-and sedentary and eating behaviors among Brazilian schoolchildren.…”

Dietary Habits and Nutritional Status of Different Population Groups in Relation to Lifestyle Factors and Nutritional Knowledge

“…Implementing this type of intervention could provide a higher level of care, and technology would reduce the burden on doctors and parents. In turn, the article "Association between the Consumption of Ultra-Processed foods and Sociodemographic Characteristics in Brazilian Adolescents [9]" concerned the consumption of ultra-processed food, which may be associated with a number of negative health effects. Young people are currently consumers of ultra-processed products, especially in highly developed countries.…”