Consumption of foods with voluntary fortification of micronutrients in southern Brazil: prevalence and associated factors

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the consumption of foods with voluntary fortification of vitamins and minerals (FVFVM) according to demographic, socio-economic and health characteristics. Design: A cross-sectional population-based study. Setting: The investigated food groups were selected in two stages according to availability of food in the local market and prevalence of food consumption in a recent national survey. The research instruments included a questionnaire and a photographic catalogue. The FVFVM consumption covered a period of one week prior to the interview date. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata 12?0 statistical software package, considering the design effect and a hierarchical model. A multinomial logistic regression was applied to estimate the prevalence ratios. All tests were two-tailed, with a 5?0 % significance level. Subjects: Adults ($20 years old) living in a southern city of Brazil. Results: Between February and June 2012, 2925 individuals were interviewed. Losses and refusals corresponded to 13?4 % of the sample. The overall prevalence of FVFVM consumption was 73?3 (95 % CI 71?7, 75?9) %. The total number of FVFVM reported exhibited a distribution with a median of two and a maximum of fifteen, inflated by the FVFVM categorized in the 'juice' group. The micronutrients most consumed were vitamin C, followed by Fe and thiamin. Young adults, females, those of higher socio-economic status and those who perceived their health positively were more likely to consume FVFVM. Conclusions: Prevalence of FVFVM consumption in southern Brazil, occurring concurrently with the decline in consumption of unprocessed and minimally processed foods, and the way voluntary fortification is being employed trigger a warning sign to primary prevention.

NutriLive: An Integrated Nutritional Approach as a Sustainable Tool to Prevent Malnutrition in Older People and Promote Active and Healthy Ageing—The EIP-AHA Nutrition Action Group

“…A recent study by Viñas et al [8] in 7 EU countries described that an inadequate intake of Vitamin B12 [9], Vitamin C, Vitamin D [10], folic acid [11], calcium, selenium, and iodine occurs in more than 20% of the older population (>64 years). Similar situations could be demonstrated for other regions such as US [12][13][14] and South America [15][16][17]. Deficits are more likely to occur in the homebound, frail older adult due to lack of mobility, difficulty to access healthy foods or grocery stores, and limited daily living activities, with difficulties in preparing meals themselves.…”

Consumption of ultra-processed foods and their impact on the diet of young adults

“… 1 Therefore, the increased iron intake through the consumption of ultra-processed foods may not add any health benefits, which corroborates with the result of a recent study in which approximately 70.0% of the adult population of Pelotas reported the consumption of food products with voluntary fortification of food items with vitamins and minerals. 7 …”

“… 1 Assim, o alto consumo de ferro proporcionado pela ingestão de alimentos ultraprocessados pode não adicionar nenhum benefício à saúde, o que alerta ainda mais achado de publicação recente a qual mostrou que em torno de 70,0% da população de adultos também da cidade de Pelotas relataram consumo de alimentos com fortificação voluntária de vitaminas e minerais. 7 …”

Nutrition Transition in Papua New Guinea (PNG): An Assessment of the Nutrition Transition for Three Diverse Populations, Including the Contributing Factors, Food Insecurity, and Health Risks

“…Food groups analysis is particularly considered to assess the effects of processed foods on diets as food processing industries have expanded along with globalisation [34][35][36]. Lately food fortification has been recognised to play an important role in improving diets to address issues of deficiency of essential nutrients and food groups analysis have been shown to be crucial to evaluate such interventions [37][38][39]. It is important to note that the approaches taken to assess nutrition transition are largely determined by the stages of the transition underway.…”

“…Changes in dietary intake and lifestyle in some of these island nations have contributed some of the world's highest prevalence of obesity and NR-NCDs among its populations [68]. Colonisation, adaptation to modernisation, and urbanisation are said to be the key factors leading to the rapid change (as well as globalisation, as discussed in the previous sections) [39,44,55].…”