Socioeconomic, demographic and lifestyle factors associated with dietary patterns of women living in Southern Brazil

Abstract

This study focused on the association between dietary patterns and socio-demographic and lifestyle factors. A population-based cross-sectional study was performed in 1,026 adult women from Southern Brazil. Dietary patterns were identified using principal components analysis. In the multivariable analysis, a Poisson regression model was used to estimate the prevalence ratio and 95%CI. Wealthier women were more likely to follow healthy diets. A Low Cost Healthy Diet was more prevalent among women with a partner, and a High Cost Healthy Diet was more prevalent among women not currently working and who exercised regularly. Women with lower education levels were less likely to follow a Low Cost Healthy Diet, but more likely to follow the Higher-Risk Low Cost Diet. The Low Cost Higher-Risk Diet was more prevalent among women with a lower income. Low and medium cost healthy diets were positively associated with age. The results showed that women's dietary choices are influenced by socioeconomic factors and are not only dependent on food prices.

Dietary patterns during pregnancy and the association with sociodemographic characteristics among women attending general practices in southern Brazil: the ECCAGe Study

“…These findings are in agreement with other studies regarding pregnant women and other population groups 8,12,16 . Health-related concerns also seem to be more prevalent in this group, since dietary intake included a large variety of healthy food items.…”

“…This group reported higher energy intake and higher consumption of sweets and fatty foods, suggesting that little attention is given to eating habits, probably due to a lack of nutritional education. Other research conducted with women in southern Brazil has also indicated a trend of high risk-high cost dietary patterns among younger women 16 .…”

“…A study carried out in the Southern Region of Brazil also pointed to a positive association between diet and socioeconomic status, showing that women of higher socioeconomic status are more likely to follow a healthy diet 16 . However, a study of a cohort of young adults demonstrated that, although socioeconomic status affected dietary patterns, having a higher level of education or higher income was not a protective factor for healthy eating 17 .…”

Padrões de consumo de alimentos e fatores associados em adultos de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil: Projeto OBEDIARP

“…Sabe-se que dietas com alta densidade energé-tica, ricas em gorduras (particularmente as de origem animal) e pobres em fibras alimentares, associadas à redução da atividade física, ao tabagismo e ao consumo excessivo de álcool podem explicar parte substancial dos casos de algumas doenças crônicas como, por exemplo, a obesidade, as doenças cardiovasculares, o diabetes mellitus e a síndrome metabólica, tanto em países desenvolvidos como em desenvolvimento 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 . Neumann et al 6 , em estudo transversal realizado no Município de São Paulo, Brasil, encontraram associações positivas e estatisticamente significantes entre maior risco cardiovascular e padrões de consumo de alimentos caracterizados, entre outros, pela maior ingestão habitual de açúcares, gorduras saturadas, sal de adição e álcool.…”

“…Como apontaram Alves et al 5 , Lenz et al 7 e Hu 8 , em estudos epidemiológicos em que se pretende investigar o papel da dieta no desenvolvimento de doenças crônicas, a avaliação dos padrões de consumo de alimentos apresenta vantagens em relação ao procedimento tradicional que considera apenas a ingestão dos nutrientes, isoladamente. Tal abordagem permite, com maior facilidade, estabelecer estratégias factíveis para a prevenção ou tratamento das doenças.…”