Dietary patterns of Brazilian farmers and their relation with sociodemographic, labor, and lifestyle conditions

Abstract

Background The eating habits have changed in the last few decades, but few studies prioritize the food consumption of farmers and the rural population. Therefore, the objective of this study was explore the sociodemographic, occupational and lifestyle factors to the high adherence these dietary patterns. Methods This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study of 740 farmers (51.5%, n = 381 males; 48.5%, n = 359 females) from a municipality in Southeastern Brazil. Food intake data were obtained by applying multipass 24-h recall and dietary intake was presented in dietary patterns determined by Principal Component Analysis with varimax orthogonal rotation. Results Three dietary patterns were identified. The first pattern, “local traditional”, was associated with sociodemographic and labor variables, being considered typical of the region’s farmer as white race/color (p = 0.003), not extra-physical activity (p = 0.014) and cultivating 5 or more crops (p = 0.005). The permanence of a “traditional Brazilian” pattern and the occurrence of an “industrialized” pattern were also observed. Farmers working in non-conventional agriculture were 54% less adhere to “traditional Brazilian” pattern (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.25–0.86, p = 0.014). Individuals aged 50 and over years were 82% less likely (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.10–0.30) to adhere to “industrialized” pattern. Still, individuals of lower socioeconomic class were 52% less likely to adhere to this pattern (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.24–0.96). Farmers who spent R$ 200 or more per capita to buy food were more than twice as likely to adhere to this food pattern (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.32–3.73), and who had the habit of frequently eating out were 1.62 as likely adhere to “industrialized” pattern (95% CI 1.11–2.36). Conclusions The findings indicate changes in dietary patterns in rural areas of the country, maintaining a traditional Brazilian pattern, as well as a local and an industrialized pattern. This last pattern demonstrates that the contemporary rural population also opts for a diet with ultra-processed products, being associated with the characteristic habits of a more urbanized rural region.

Association of Selenium Intake and Development of Depression in Brazilian Farmers

“…Only 8.8% ( n = 65) of farmers had lower consumption than the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) of 55 μg/day established for this nutrient. These results are possibly due to the high consumption of meat, eggs and minimally processed food sources identified in this population ( 18 , 52 ). The high intake of this micronutrient in the Brazilian population has also been reported by other studies ( 53 ).…”

“…It has been argued that studies on the role of nutrition in psychiatric diseases are essential to expand the role of health professionals with individuals with this morbidity ( 32 ). This study is justified by its relevance to public health, especially given the high incidence and prevalence of depression in recent years in the general population, and the scarcity of information regarding mental health in farmers ( 30 , 33 )—especially depression ( 34 , 35 )—as well as of nutritional and anthropometric assessments of this population ( 18 , 36 , 37 ). The representative and randomly selected sample of this study allowed us to extrapolate the results to the target rural population.…”

“…Further, the sample studied presented a contemporary food pattern characterized by a “traditional Brazilian pattern,” “local traditional” and “industrialized,” that opts for a diet with ultra-processed products and low fruit consumption—habits characteristic of more urbanized rural regions ( 18 ).…”

“…Its agricultural practices are characterized by the predominance of polyculture and a low degree of mechanization. The population follows a contemporary food pattern characterized by a traditional Brazilian pattern and a local yet industrialized pattern, indicating that the farmers follow a diet with ultra-processed products and low fruit consumption, and that they have habits characteristic of more urbanized rural regions ( 18 ). Ultraprocessed foods are characterized by high energy, low fiber, and microscopic minerals and high added or free sugars, sodium, saturated fats, and chemical food additives ( 19 ).…”

Food Consumption and Dietary Patterns of Local Adults Living on the Tibetan Plateau: Results from 14 Countries along the Yarlung Tsangpo River

“…Compared with the traditional analysis of single food or nutrients, dietary pattern analysis has been identified as a more comprehensive method to characterize diet [ 1 ] and it can offer a broader picture of food consumption, reflect a more realistic dietary habit and provide some practical approaches to disease prevention. According to previous studies, dietary pattern is also closely associated with sociodemographic, occupational factors and lifestyle factors [ 7 , 8 ]. Therefore, it is particularly important to investigate food consumption in different genders, age groups and regions.…”