This study aims to investigate the dietary share of ultra-processed foods and its association with non-communicable diseases (NCDs)-related nutrient profile of adult and elderly population in Portugal. Cross-sectional data from the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (2015–2016) of the Portuguese population has been analyzed. Dietary intake was assessed by two non-consecutive 24-h recalls and food items were classified according to the NOVA system. We estimated the percentage of dietary energy provided by each of the NOVA food groups and assessed the NCD-related nutrient profile of the overall diet across quintiles of ultra-processed foods consumption. Weighted t-test, besides crude and adjusted linear and Poisson regressions have been performed. Ultra-processed foods contributed with around 24% and 16% of daily energy intake for adults and elderly, respectively. In both groups, as the consumption of ultra-processed foods increased, the dietary content of free sugars, total fats and saturated fats increased, while the dietary content of protein decreased. In adults, the total energy intake, the dietary energy density, and content of carbohydrates also increased as the consumption of ultra-processed foods increased, while the dietary content of fibre, sodium and potassium decreased. The prevalence of those exceeding the upper limits recommended for free sugars and saturated fats increased by 544% and 153% in adults, and 619% and 60% in elderly, when comparing the lowest to the highest quintile of ultra-processed consumption. Such a scenario demands for effective strategies addressing food processing in Portuguese population to improve their diet quality and prevention against diet-related NCDs.

The substitution of minimally processed food and culinary home preparations for ready-to-eat products is increasing worldwide, which is overlooked as a cause of concern. The technological developments and the rise in highly processed food availability have introduced the concept of ultra-processed food (UPF). Food classification systems based on processing are now a new basis for epidemiological research. Different results from these classifications might influence conclusions on the population’s consumption of UPF or its association with health outcomes. The aim of this study was to compare classification systems and to find out if their results are comparable when evaluating the extent of high/UPF on the overall diet. Portuguese data from the year 2000 was extracted from the DAFNE-AnemosSoft, and 556 food/beverages items were classified according to five systems. The contribution of UPF was calculated as a percentage of total available amount and discrepancy ranges used for comparisons. Results of UPF availability contributions were: NOVA 10.2%; UNC 15.2%; IFPRI 16.7%; IFIC 17.7%; IARC 47.4%. The highest discrepancy ranges were from alcoholic beverages (97.4%), milk/milk products (94.2%), sugar/sugar products (90.1%), added lipids (74.9%), and cereals/cereal products (71.3%). Inconsistencies among classifications were huge and the contribution from highly/UPF presented high discrepancies. Caution must be taken when comparing and interpreting such data.

Ultra-processed food (UPF) can be harmful to the population’s health. To establish associations between UPF and health outcomes, food consumption can be assessed using availability data, such as purchase lists or household budget surveys. The aim of this systematic review was to search studies that related UPF availability with noncommunicable diseases or their risk factors. PRISMA guidelines were used. Searches were performed in PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus and Web of Science in February 2021. The search strategy included terms related to exposure (UPF) and outcomes (noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors). Studies that assessed only food consumption at an individual level and did not present health outcomes were excluded. Two reviewers conducted the selection process, and a third helped when disagreement occurred. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used to assess the studies’ quality; 998 records were analyzed. All 11 eligible studies were ecological and assessed overweight and obesity as a health outcome, only one showed no positive association with UPF availability. Two studies included the prevalence of diabetes as an outcome, however no significant association was found with UPF availability. Studies relating UPF availability and health outcomes are focused on overweight and obesity. It is necessary to further explore the relationship between other health outcomes and UPF availability using purchase or sales data.

This study aimed to identify dietary patterns (DPs) and their associations with sociodemographic factors and diet quality in Portuguese adults and the elderly. Cross-sectional data were obtained from the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (2015–2016), with two non-consecutive dietary 24 h recalls. Food items were classified according to the NOVA system and its proportion (in grams) in the total daily diet was considered to identify DPs by latent class analysis, using age and sex as concomitant variables. Multinomial logistic and linear regressions were performed to test associations of DPs with sociodemographic characteristics and diet quality, respectively. Three DPs were identified: “Traditional” (higher vegetables, fish, olive oil, breads, beer and wine intake), “Unhealthy” (higher pasta, sugar-sweetened beverages, confectionery and sausages intake) and “Diet concerns” (lower intake of cereals, red meat, sugar-sweetened and alcoholic beverages). “Unhealthy” was associated with being younger and lower intake of dietary fiber and vitamins and the highest free sugars and ultra-processed foods (UPF). “Diet concerns” was associated with being female and a more favorable nutrient profile, but both DPs presented a higher contribution of UPF than the “Traditional” DP. These findings should be considered for the design of food-based interventions and public policies for these age groups in Portugal.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a composição nutricional dos alimentos ultraprocessados consumidos por crianças usuárias de unidades básicas de saúde. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo seccional com amostra probabilística representativa de 536 crianças de 6 a 59 meses de idade atendidas em uma unidade de saúde no município do Rio de Janeiro. Informações nutricionais foram extraídas dos rótulos dos alimentos ultraprocessados referidos em recordatório de 24 horas. Os 351 alimentos citados foram divididos em 22 grupos e 38 subgrupos de acordo com o tipo de produto e caracterizados segundo as médias dos valores encontrados para energia, gorduras totais, gorduras saturadas, gorduras trans e sódio em 100 gramas do produto, além de presença, número e tipo de “outros edulcorantes”. Para examinar a ocorrência de excesso de nutrientes críticos, o Modelo de Perfil Nutricional da Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde foi aplicado para cada alimento e para a média dos teores de nutrientes obtida para cada grupo. RESULTADOS: Os alimentos ultraprocessados consumidos continham alto valor energético e elevados teores de gorduras totais, gorduras saturadas, gorduras trans e sódio. Do total de alimentos ultraprocessados, 66% apresentaram excesso de pelo menos um nutriente crítico, com destaque para requeijões e queijos ultraprocessados, macarrões instantâneos e carnes industrializadas e embutidos, que apresentaram 100% dos alimentos com excesso de gorduras totais, de gorduras saturadas e de sódio. Dos 21 grupos, extrapolaram o limite estabelecido pela Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde: para gorduras totais, 10 grupos; para gorduras saturadas, 11; para gorduras trans, 3; e para sódio, 13. Requeijões e queijos ultraprocessados; carnes industrializadas e embutidos; e biscoitos superaram esse limite em todos os parâmetros. Do conjunto de alimentos ultraprocessados analisados, 13,4% continham “outros edulcorantes” (oito diferentes tipos). CONCLUSÕES: Os AUP analisados apresentaram perfil nutricional desequilibrado e dois terços apresentaram excesso de pelo menos um nutriente crítico. Fazem-se necessárias ações educativas e medidas regulatórias para melhor informar a população e desencorajar o seu consumo. DESCRITORES: Criança. Consumo de Alimentos. Alimentos Industrializados. Rotulagem de Alimentos. Valor Nutritivo.