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Background/Objectives Snacking has increased globally. We examine snacking patterns and common snack foods in Brazil. Subjects/Methods Data from the first of two non-consecutive food diaries from 34,003 individuals (aged ≥10 years) in the first Brazillian nationally representative dietary survey (2008-2009) were used. Meals were defined as the largest (kcal) eating event reported during select times of the day (Breakfast, 6am-10am; Lunch, 12pm-3pm; Dinner, 6pm-9pm); all other eating occasions were considered snacks. We estimate daily energy intake, percent consuming, number of daily snacks, and per capita and per consumer energy from snacks (kcal/d, kcal/snack, and % of daily energy from snacks). Results 74% of Brazilians (≥10 years) snacked, reporting an average 1.6 snacks/d. 23% of the sample were heavy snackers (≥3 snacks/d). Snacking accounted for 21% of daily energy intake in the full sample, but 35.5% among heavy snackers. Compared to non-snackers (1548 kcal/d), light (1-2 snacks/d) and heavy snackers consumed more daily energy (1929 and 2334 kcal/d, respectively). By time of day, the largest percent of persons reported afternoon/early evening snacking (3:01-5:59 pm, 47.7%). Sweetened Coffee & Tea, Sweets & Desserts, Fruit, Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSB), and high-calorie Salgados (Fried/baked dough with Meat/Cheese/Vegetable) were the top 5 most commonly consumed snacks. Differences were observed by age groups. Trends in commercial sales were observed, especially for SSB’s. Conclusions Many commonly consumed snack foods in Brazil are classified, in the US, as being high in solid fats and added sugars (SoFAS). The public health impact of snacking in Brazil requires further exploration.

There is a basic food intake pattern in Brazil based on rice, beans, coffee, bread, and beef with small but consistent regional variation. The consumption of items rich in fat and sugar is also frequent, particularly among adolescents.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of a school-based intervention involving the families and teachers that aimed to promote healthy eating habits in adolescents; the ultimate aim of the intervention was to reduce the increase in body mass index (BMI) of the students.DesignPaired cluster randomized school-based trial conducted with a sample of fifth graders.SettingTwenty classes were randomly assigned into either an intervention group or a control group.ParticipantsFrom a total of 574 eligible students, 559 students participated in the study (intervention: 10 classes with 277 participants; control: 10 classes with 282 participants). The mean age of students was 11 years.InterventionStudents attended 9 nutritional education sessions during the 2010 academic year. Parents/guardians and teachers received information on the same subjects.Main Outcome MeasurementChanges in BMI and percentage of body fat.ResultsIntention-to-treat analysis showed that changes in BMI were not significantly different between the 2 groups (β = 0.003; p = 0.75). There was a major reduction in the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and cookies in the intervention group; students in this group also consumed more fruits.ConclusionEncouraging the adoption of healthy eating habits promoted important changes in the adolescent diet, but this did not lead to a reduction in BMI gain. Strategies based exclusively on the quality of diet may not reduce weight gain among adolescents.Trial RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT01046474.

Traditional analysis of food intake usually fails to show an association between energy and nutrient intake and indicators of obesity. The analysis of food patterns can contribute to the understanding of the association between eating habits and anthropometric indicators. A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out on a low-income neighbourhood in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area, and 1009 subjects between 20 and 65 years of age completed an FFQ. Dietary patterns were identified by means of factor analysis, and their associations with BMI and waist circumference (WC) were ascertained by applying a linear regression analysis. Three main dietary patterns were identified: a mixed pattern, which included cereals, fish and shrimp, vegetables, roots, fruits, eggs, meat and caffeinated beverages; a Western pattern, which consisted of 'fast foods', soft drinks, juices, cakes, cookies, milk and dairy, sweets and snacks; a traditional pattern, which included rice, beans, bread, sugar, fats and salad dressings. After adjusting for age and energy intake, we found that the traditional dietary pattern was inversely associated with BMI (b ¼ 21·14, P, 0·001) and WC (b ¼ 214·9, P¼ 0·002) among females. Additionally, a positive association between the Western pattern and WC (b ¼ 12·8, P¼ 0·02) was observed for females. A diet based on rice and beans may have a protective role against weight gain in women.

OBJECTIVE:To describe foods consumed away from home and associated factors in Brazil. METHODS:The study was based on the National Dietary Survey which was conducted among residents aged over 10 years old in 24% of households participating in the Household Budget Survey in 2008-2009 (n = 34,003). The consumption of food and beverages was collected through records of foods consumed, type of preparation, quantity, time and food source (inside or outside home). The frequency with which individuals consumed food away from home was calculated according to age, gender, income, household area location, family size, presence of children at home and age of head of household in Brazil and in each Brazilian region. Specifi c sampling weight and effect of the sampling design were considered in the analyses. RESULTS:Consumption of food away from home in Brazil was reported by 40% of respondents, varying from 13% among the elderly in the Midwest Region to 51% among adolescents in the Southeast. This percentage decreased with age and increased with income in all regions of Brazil and was higher among men and in urban areas. Foods with the highest percentage of consumption outside home were alcoholic beverages, baked and fried snacks, pizza, soft drinks and sandwiches. CONCLUSIONS:Foods consumed away from home showed a predominance of high energy content and poor nutritional content, indicating that the consumption of foods away from home should be considered in public health campaigns aimed at improving Brazilians' diet.

Estimar a prevalência de insegurança alimentar em famílias de Duque de Caxias, município localizado na Região Metropolitana do Rio de Janeiro, e avaliar a associação entre indicadores socioeconômicos e insegurança alimentar. 1 Este estudo faz parte do projeto "Avaliação do estado nutricional, hábitos alimentares e insegurança alimentar no município de Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro: desenvolvimento de um instrumento simplificado para avaliação de consumo alimentar saudável". Apoio financeiro: Ministério da Ciência e Tecnologia, Ministério do Desenvolvimento Social e Combate à Fome e Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, a partir do Edital MCT/MESA/CNPq/CT-Agronegócio 01/2003 (processo CNPq nº 503139/2003-3), Instituto Nacional do Câncer e Ministério da Saúde.

OBJECTIVE:To describe the most commonly consumed foods in Brazil.