Caroline Dos Santos Costa1,2, Maria Cecília Formoso Assunção3, Juliana Dos Santos Vaz3,4, Fernanda Rauber1,2, Isabel Oliveira Bierhals3, Alicia Matijasevich5, Bernardo L Horta3, Helen Gonçalves3, Fernando C Wehrmeister3, Iná S Santos3. 1. Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. 2. Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Av. Dr Arnaldo 715, São Paulo, SP01246-904, Brazil. 3. Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Marechal Deodoro 1160, 3rd Floor, Pelotas, RS96020-220, Brazil. 4. Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Pelotas, Gomes Carneiro 1, Pelotas, RS96075-630, Brazil. 5. Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Av. Dr Arnaldo 455, 2nd Floor, São Paulo, SP01246-903, Brazil.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the consumption of ultra-processed foods according to demographic and socioeconomic characteristics in three birth cohorts. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis. SETTING: Data from the 2004, 1993 and 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohorts were used at 11, 22 and 30 years, respectively, collected between 2012 and 2015. Outcome was the relative contribution of ultra-processed foods from the total daily energy intake. Maternal-independent variables were self-reported skin colour, schooling, age and family income (obtained in the perinatal study), and variables of the cohort member, sex, skin colour, schooling and current family income (the last two obtained at the 11-, 22- and 30-year follow-ups of the respective cohorts). We calculated crude and adjusted means of the outcome for the whole cohorts and according to the independent variables. PARTICIPANTS: 11-, 22- and 30-year-old individuals. RESULTS: Daily energetic contribution from ultra-processed foods was higher in the younger cohort (33·7, 29·8 and 25·1 % at 11, 22 and 30 years, respectively). Maternal schooling and family income at birth showed an inverse dose-response relationship at 11 and 22 years, but a positive dose-response at 30 years. Female sex, lower schooling and family income at 22 years and higher schooling at 30 years were associated to a higher contribution from ultra-processed foods in the daily energy intake. CONCLUSIONS: Information from food and nutrition policies needs a higher dissemination, mostly among women and population groups of lower income and schooling, including its promotion in media and health services, aiming for a decreased consumption of ultra-processed foods.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the consumption of ultra-processed foods according to demographic and socioeconomic characteristics in three birth cohorts. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis. SETTING: Data from the 2004, 1993 and 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohorts were used at 11, 22 and 30 years, respectively, collected between 2012 and 2015. Outcome was the relative contribution of ultra-processed foods from the total daily energy intake. Maternal-independent variables were self-reported skin colour, schooling, age and family income (obtained in the perinatal study), and variables of the cohort member, sex, skin colour, schooling and current family income (the last two obtained at the 11-, 22- and 30-year follow-ups of the respective cohorts). We calculated crude and adjusted means of the outcome for the whole cohorts and according to the independent variables. PARTICIPANTS: 11-, 22- and 30-year-old individuals. RESULTS: Daily energetic contribution from ultra-processed foods was higher in the younger cohort (33·7, 29·8 and 25·1 % at 11, 22 and 30 years, respectively). Maternal schooling and family income at birth showed an inverse dose-response relationship at 11 and 22 years, but a positive dose-response at 30 years. Female sex, lower schooling and family income at 22 years and higher schooling at 30 years were associated to a higher contribution from ultra-processed foods in the daily energy intake. CONCLUSIONS: Information from food and nutrition policies needs a higher dissemination, mostly among women and population groups of lower income and schooling, including its promotion in media and health services, aiming for a decreased consumption of ultra-processed foods.