Dietary share of ultra-processed foods and its association with vitamin E biomarkers in Brazilian lactating women

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
N. C. M. Amorim ◽  
A. G. C. L. Silva ◽  
A. S. Rebouças ◽  
D. S. Bezerra ◽  
M. S. R. Lima ◽  
...  

Abstract Despite evidence showing that the intake of ultra-processed food has a negative impact on health, diet quality and dietary vitamin E, its impact on vitamin E nutritional status and breast milk remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the influence of the consumption of ultra-processed foods on vitamin E biomarkers of lactating women. A cross-sectional study was performed with 294 lactating women. Food consumption was obtained by 24-hour dietary recall and foods were grouped according to the NOVA classification. Levels of alpha-tocopherol were analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Breast milk vitamin E (BMVE) adequacy was based on the quantity of the vitamin in the estimated intake volume. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the tertiles and linear regression to association between ultra-processed food consumption and biomarkers. Ultra-processed foods accounted for 16% of energy intake and vitamin E intakes by all women were considered low. Serum alpha-tocopherol was 26.55 (SD 7.98) µmol/L, 5% (n=11) showed inadequate vitamin E (<12µmol/L), and 78% had an inadequate BMVE content (< 4mg/780mL). The regression showed that a higher dietary share of ultra-processed foods was associated with lower concentrations of serum alpha-tocopherol (β=−0.168, CI=−0.047–0.010, p=0.003) and inadequate BMVE content (β=−0.144, CI=−0.505–0.063, p=0.012) (adjustment for income and maternal age). Thus, higher dietary shares of ultra-processed foods had an impact on vitamin E biomarkers, suggesting that inadequate dietary intake practices during lactation may reduce the supply of vitamin E to women and breast milk.

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2289 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Belén Ruíz-Roso ◽  
Patricia de Carvalho Padilha ◽  
Diana C. Matilla-Escalante ◽  
Paola Brun ◽  
Natalia Ulloa ◽  
...  

Aim: to describe physical activity and ultra-processed foods consumption, their changes and sociodemographic predictors among adolescents from countries in Europe (Italy and Spain) and Latin America (Brazil, Chile, and Colombia) during the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic period. Methods: Cross-sectional study via web survey. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and weekly ultra-processed food consumption data were used. To compare the frequencies of physical activity status with sociodemographic variables, a multinomial logistic and a multiple logistic regression for habitual ultra-processed foods was performed. In final models, p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Sample of 726 adolescents, mostly females (59.6%) aged 16–19 years old (54.3%). Adolescents from Latin America presented odds ratio (OR) 2.98 (CI 95% 1.80–4.94) of being inactive and those whose mothers had higher level of education were less active during lockdown [OR 0.40 (CI 95% 0.20–0.84)]. The habitual ultra-processed consumption was also high during this period in all countries, and more prevalent in Latin America. Conclusion: A higher prevalence of inactivity was observed in this population, but reductions of physical activity and habitual ultra-processed consumption during the pandemic were more pronounced in Latin America. Our findings reinforce the importance of promoting a healthy lifestyle, i.e., exercise and diet, during periods of social isolation.


Author(s):  
Matheus Lopes Cortes ◽  
José Andrade Louzado ◽  
Marcio Galvão Oliveira ◽  
Vanessa Moraes Bezerra ◽  
Sóstenes Mistro ◽  
...  

Background: Ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations made from food extracts or constituents with little or no intact food and often containing additives that confer hyper-palatability. The consumption of these products increases the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases. Stressed people may engage in unhealthy eating as a way to cope. This study aimed to verify whether ultra-processed food consumption was associated with perceived stress levels in industrial and retail workers from Vitoria da Conquista, Brazil. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out between July 2017 and August 2018. During the study period, 1270 participants completed a survey administered by an interviewer. Stress levels were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale. Information regarding weekly ultra-processed food consumption was collected. Ultra-processed foods were classified into four groups: sugary drinks; sugary foods; fast foods; and canned foods, frozen foods, or processed meat. The Student’s t-test or one-way analysis of variance was used to assess the differences in stress levels and ultra-processed food consumption. Ordinal regression was used to determine the association between the degrees of stress and ultra-processed food consumption levels. Results: Factors such as a young age, being unmarried, smoking, high-risk alcohol consumption, negative health perception, and high perceived stress level indicated higher rates of ultra-processed food consumption. Ordinal regression analysis showed that high stress levels were associated with increased odds of higher ultra-processed food consumption (odds ratio: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.54–2.45). Conclusions: These findings could help identify appropriate target areas for interventions aimed at mental health promotion and healthier food consumption.


2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Laura da Costa Louzada ◽  
Ana Paula Bortoletto Martins ◽  
Daniela Silva Canella ◽  
Larissa Galastri Baraldi ◽  
Renata Bertazzi Levy ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of consuming ultra-processed foods on the nutritional dietary profile in Brazil.METHODS Cross-sectional study conducted with data from the module on individual food consumption from the 2008-2009 Pesquisa de Orçamentos Familiares (POF – Brazilian Family Budgets Survey). The sample, which represented the section of the Brazilian population aged 10 years or over, involved 32,898 individuals. Food consumption was evaluated by two 24-hour food records. The consumed food items were classified into three groups: natural or minimally processed, including culinary preparations with these foods used as a base; processed; and ultra-processed.RESULTS The average daily energy consumption per capita was 1,866 kcal, with 69.5% being provided by natural or minimally processed foods, 9.0% by processed foods and 21.5% by ultra-processed food. The nutritional profile of the fraction of ultra-processed food consumption showed higher energy density, higher overall fat content, higher saturated and trans fat, higher levels of free sugar and less fiber, protein, sodium and potassium, when compared to the fraction of consumption related to natural or minimally processed foods. Ultra-processed foods presented generally unfavorable characteristics when compared to processed foods. Greater inclusion of ultra-processed foods in the diet resulted in a general deterioration in the dietary nutritional profile. The indicators of the nutritional dietary profile of Brazilians who consumed less ultra-processed foods, with the exception of sodium, are the stratum of the population closer to international recommendations for a healthy diet.CONCLUSIONS The results from this study highlight the damage to health that is arising based on the observed trend in Brazil of replacing traditional meals, based on natural or minimally processed foods, with ultra-processed foods. These results also support the recommendation of avoiding the consumption of these kinds of foods.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e020574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa Galastri Baraldi ◽  
Euridice Martinez Steele ◽  
Daniela Silva Canella ◽  
Carlos Augusto Monteiro

ObjectivesTo compare ultra-processed food consumption across sociodemographic groups and over time (2007–2008, 2009–2010, 2011–2012) in the USA.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingNational Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2012.ParticipantsAll individuals aged ≥2 years with at least one 24-hour dietary recall were included (n=23 847).Main outcome measuresAverage dietary contribution of ultra-processed foods (expressed as a percentage of the total caloric value of the diet), obtained after classifying all food items according to extent and purpose of industrial food processing using NOVA classification.Data analysisLinear regression was used to evaluate the association between sociodemographic characteristics or NHANES cycles and dietary contribution of ultra-processed foods.ResultsAlmost 60% of calories consumed in the period 2007–2012 came from ultra-processed foods. Consumption of ultra-processed foods decreased with age and income level, was higher for non-Hispanic whites or non-Hispanic blacks than for other race/ethnicity groups and lower for people with college than for lower levels of education, all differences being statistically significant. Overall contribution of ultra-processed foods increased significantly between NHANES cycles (nearly 1% point per cycle), the same being observed among males, adolescents and high school education-level individuals.ConclusionsUltra-processed food consumption in the USA in the period 2007–2012 was overall high, greater among non-Hispanic whites or non-Hispanic blacks, less educated, younger, lower-income strata and increased across time.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Cristina ENES ◽  
Carolina Moura de CAMARGO ◽  
Maraisa Isabela Coelho JUSTINO

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the relationship between ultra-processed food consumption and obesity indicators in adolescents. Methods Cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 200 10- to 18-year-old adolescents from Campinas, São Paulo (SP). Usual dietary intake was determined through a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Daily intake of each food was obtained from the intake frequency. Subsequently, foods were classified as raw and minimally processed, cooking ingredients or ultra-processed foods, and their caloric contribution to the total energy value was calculated. Sociodemographic and anthropometric variables were also investigated. Overweight was defined as Z-score>+1 and obesity was defined as Z-score>+2 according to the Body Mass Index per age group. The associations were tested by chi-square test and linear trend. Results The frequency of obesity was 47.0%, and 21.5% presented increased waist circumference. The average energy intake was 4,176kcal/day, of which 50.6% was derived from ultra-processed foods. The categories with the highest caloric contributions among ultra-processed foods were industrial loaves/cakes (16.2%), sweets and candy (6.2%), pastas (6.0%) and sweetened drinks (5.1%). No association was found between ultra-processed food consumption and anthropometric indicators. Conclusion The significant contribution of ultra-processed foods to daily calories is evidence of a poor diet of this population of young people, although this has not been shown as a factor associated with excess weight. Therefore, there is an urgent need for public policies that discourage the consumption of these products and encourage the return to a traditional diet.


2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filippa Juul ◽  
Euridice Martinez-Steele ◽  
Niyati Parekh ◽  
Carlos A. Monteiro ◽  
Virginia W. Chang

AbstractUltra-processed foods provide 58 % of energy intake and 89 % of added sugars in the American diet. Nevertheless, the association between ultra-processed foods and excess weight has not been investigated in a US sample. The present investigation therefore aims to examine the association between ultra-processed foods and excess weight in a nationally representative sample of US adults. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of anthropometric and dietary data from 15 977 adults (20–64 years) participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2014. Dietary data were collected by 24-h recall. Height, weight and waist circumference (WC) were measured. Foods were classified as ultra-processed/non-ultra-processed according to the NOVA classification. Multivariable linear and logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between ultra-processed food consumption (% energy) and BMI, WC and odds of BMI≥25 kg/m2, BMI≥30 kg/m2 and abdominal obesity (men: WC≥102 cm, women: WC≥88 cm). Prevalence of BMI≥25 kg/m2, BMI≥30 kg/m2 and abdominal obesity was 69·2, 36·1 and 53·0 %, respectively. Consuming ≥74·2 v. ≤36·5 % of total energy from ultra-processed foods was associated with 1·61 units higher BMI (95 % CI 1·11, 2·10), 4·07 cm greater WC (95 % CI 2·94, 5·19) and 48, 53 and 62 % higher odds of BMI≥25 kg/m2, BMI≥30 kg/m2 and abdominal obesity, respectively (OR 1·48; 95 % CI 1·25, 1·76; OR 1·53; 95 % CI 1·29, 1·81; OR 1·62; 95 % CI 1·39, 1·89, respectively; Pfor trend<0·001 for all). A significant interaction between being female and ultra-processed food consumption was found for BMI (F4,79=4·89, P=0·002), WC (F4,79=3·71, P=0·008) and BMI≥25 kg/m2 (F4,79=5·35, P<0·001). As the first study in a US population, our findings support that higher consumption of ultra-processed food is associated with excess weight, and that the association is more pronounced among women.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1120
Author(s):  
Jee-Seon Shim ◽  
Sun-Young Shim ◽  
Hee-Jeung Cha ◽  
Jinhee Kim ◽  
Hyeon Chang Kim

There is growing evidence for a global transition to a more highly processed diet. While the dietary share of ultra-processed foods depends on a country’s economic status, food choice and consumption are also influenced by the socioeconomic situation of individuals. This study investigated whether ultra-processed food consumption differed across socioeconomic subgroups and over time (2010–2018) in Korea. Cross-sectional data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010–2018 were analyzed. Food and beverages reported in a one-day 24 h recall were classified according to the NOVA food classification criteria. The dietary energy contribution of ultra-processed foods was high among men and urban residents, and increased with education and income level; additionally, it reached its peak in adolescents and thereafter decreased with increasing age. After adjusting the socioeconomic variables, such associations remained significant, except for income level. The overall contribution of ultra-processed foods increased from 23.1% (2010–2012) to 26.1% (2016–2018), and the same trend over time was observed in all age groups and socioeconomic strata. In the Korean population, ultra-processed food consumption differed by individual socioeconomic characteristics, but gradually increased over time, and this trend was consistently found in all socioeconomic subgroups. Future strategies to promote healthy food choices are needed for the Korean population.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e027546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda Rauber ◽  
Maria Laura da Costa Louzada ◽  
Euridice Martinez Steele ◽  
Leandro F M de Rezende ◽  
Christopher Millett ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo describe dietary sources of free sugars in different age groups of the UK population considering food groups classified according to the NOVA system and to estimate the proportion of excessive free sugars that could potentially be avoided by reducing consumption of their main sources.Design and settingCross-sectional data from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2008–2014) were analysed. Food items collected using a 4-day food diary were classified according to the NOVA system.Participants9364 individuals aged 1.5 years and above.Main outcome measuresAverage dietary content of free sugars and proportion of individuals consuming more than 10% of total energy from free sugars.Data analysisPoisson regression was used to estimate the associations between each of the NOVA food group and intake of free sugars. We estimated the per cent reduction in prevalence of excessive free sugar intake from eliminating ultra-processed foods and table sugar. Analyses were stratified by age group and adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, survey year, region and equivalised household income (sterling pounds).ResultsUltra-processed foods account for 56.8% of total energy intake and 64.7% of total free sugars in the UK diet. Free sugars represent 12.4% of total energy intake, and 61.3% of the sample exceeded the recommended limit of 10% energy from free sugars. This percentage was higher among children (74.9%) and adolescents (82.9%). Prevalence of excessive free sugar intake increased linearly across quintiles of ultra-processed food consumption for all age groups, except among the elderly. Eliminating ultra-processed foods could potentially reduce the prevalence of excessive free sugar intake by 47%.ConclusionOur findings suggest that actions to reduce the ultra-processed food consumption generally rich in free sugars could lead to substantial public health benefits.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Karini Freire da Rocha ◽  
Célia Regina Barbosa de Araújo ◽  
Inês Lança de Morais ◽  
Patrícia Padrão ◽  
Pedro Moreira ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: Considering the negative impact of the consumption of ultra-processed foods on health, this study assessed the availability and nutritional profile of commercial ultra-processed foods for infants in Natal, Brazil. Design: A cross-sectional exploratory study. Setting: Foods targeted at children under the age of 36 months sold in retail establishments located in high and low-income areas of the one capital city of Brazil. Participants: 1,645 food products consisting of 95 different types of food were available. The foods were assessed according to the NOVA classification: minimally processed, processed, and ultra-processed. The nutritional content per 100g was assessed according to processing classification. Results: Half of foods founded were breast milk substitutes and cereal foods (31.6% and 26.3%, respectively). The foods were predominantly ultra-processed (79%) and only 4.2% were minimally processed, with similar proportions of ultra-processed foods being found in both high and low-income areas. After excluding breast milk substitutes and follow-up formulas, all cereals, food supplements and some of the fruit or vegetable purees were ultra-processed, higher in energy density, fat, carbohydrate and protein, and low in fiber (P<0.05). Conclusions: The findings reveal that ultra-processed foods for infants are widely available in Brazil, reaffirming the need to strengthen the regulation of foods for infants and young children by introducing complementary measures designed to promote the production and marketing of foods manufactured using lower levels of processing.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1041-1048 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna Calixto Andrade ◽  
Maria Fernanda Gombi-Vaca ◽  
Maria Laura da Costa Louzada ◽  
Catarina Machado Azeredo ◽  
Renata Bertazzi Levy

AbstractObjective:To describe out-of-home consumption according to the purpose and extent of industrial processing and also evaluate the association between eating out and ultra-processed food consumption, taking account of variance within and between individuals.Design:Cross-sectional study.Setting:Brazil.Participants:The study was based on the Individual Food Intake of the Brazilian Household Budget Survey, carried out with 34 003 individuals aged 10 years or more, between May 2008 and May 2009. All food items were classified according to food processing level. The habit of eating out was evaluated through the frequency of days each individual reported eating out, described according to sociodemographic characteristics. The contribution of food energy per group and subgroup was estimated according to the frequency of eating out. In addition, multilevel modelling was employed to evaluate the association between eating out and ultra-processed food consumption.Results:In Brazil, culinary preparations accounted for most of the energy eaten out. However, it was possible to observe a higher contribution of ultra-processed foods, especially sugary beverages and ready-to-eat meals, as the frequency of out-of-home consumption increased. Compared with food consumption exclusively at home, eating out increased the consumption of ultra-processed foods by 0·41 percentage points within and between individuals.Conclusion:In Brazil, the same individual and different individuals had greater consumption of ultra-processed foods when they ate out of home compared with when they ate at home. So, it is necessary to implement public policies which discourage the out-of-home consumption of ultra-processed foods and that provide affordable and accessible less-processed food options.


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