Food consumption markers and associated factors in Brazil: distribution and evolution, Brazilian National Health Survey, 2013 and 2019

Abstract

This study objective was to describe the distribution of food consumption markers in Brazil per sociodemographic characteristics and its evolution from 2013 to 2019. Healthy food consumption markers (regular consumption of beans, fruits, vegetables, and fish, recommended consumption of red meat, and never replacing meals with snacks) and unhealthy food consumption markers (regular consumption of sweetened beverages and confectionery and excessive salt intake) were studied for adult participants of the Brazilian National Health Survey. The prevalence of food consumption markers was estimated according to sociodemographic characteristics and compared to data of 2013 and 2019. Most of the population regularly consumes beans, fruits, and vegetables, they also follows the recommendation to limit red meat consumption, and never replaces meals with snacks. The percentage of people who regularly consume sweetened beverages and perceive their salt intake as excessive is relatively low. The distribution of food consumption markers was associated with sex, age, income, race/skin color, area of dwelling, and schooling level. From 2013 to 2019, the prevalence of most food consumption markers declined, except for the regular consumption of fruits and recommended consumption of red meat, that increased 8.5% and 18.5%, respectively, and the regular consumption of vegetables, which did not vary. Healthy and unhealthy food consumption markers should be monitored to evaluate the effect of healthy eating policies implemented in the country.

Food consumption of Brumadinho Health Project participants

“…The prevalence values of regular and recommended consumption of FV were similar to those observed in the Brazilian adult population-34.3% and 22.1% 17 , respectively. However, among Brazilians, consumption of beans (68.3%) 18 was lower and consumption of fish (46.6%) 18 was higher. Similarly, associations in the Brazilian population with sociodemographic characteristics similar to the ones assessed in this study were also identified, such as higher consumption of FV among women 17,19,20 and married individuals 21 , and higher consumption of beans among men 17,19,21 .…”

“…Regarding the consumption of foods that are markers of unhealthy eating, the prevalence of consumption of candy/sweets and whole-fat milk, similar to the Brazilian population, was 21.7 and 60.6%, respectively, as presented by the National Health Survey of 2013 29 . However, regular consumption of soft drinks/artificial juice was higher (20.4%) 18 , while consumption of red meat with fat/chicken with skin was lower (37.2%) 29 . The higher consumption of fatty meats among residents of Brumadinho may be related to cultural aspects, since Minas Gerais is one of the Brazilian states that most consume fatty meat 30 .…”

Consumo alimentar em participantes do Projeto Saúde Brumadinho

“…As prevalências do consumo regular e recomendado de FH foram similares às observadas na população adulta brasileira -de 34,3 e 22,1% 17 , respectivamente. No entanto, entre os brasileiros, houve consumo menor de feijão (68,3%) 18 e maior de peixes (46,6%) 18 . De forma semelhante, também foram identificadas associações com características sociodemográficas na população brasileira semelhantes a este estudo, como o maior consumo de FH entre as mulheres 17,19,20 e indivíduos casados 21 e o de feijão entre os homens 17,19,21 .…”

“…Quanto ao consumo de alimentos marcadores da alimentação não saudável, identificaram-se prevalências do consumo de doces e de leite com teor integral de gordura semelhantes à população brasileira -21,7 e 60,6%, respectivamente, conforme apresentado pela Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, 2013 29 . No entanto o consumo regular de refrigerante/suco artificial foi superior (20,4%) 18 , e o de carne vermelha com gordura/frango com pele, menor (37,2%) 29 . O maior consumo de carnes com gordura entre os residentes de Brumadinho pode estar relacionado às questões culturais, uma vez que Minas Gerais é um dos Estados brasileiros que mais consomem carne com gordura 30 .…”

“…O maior consumo de carnes com gordura entre os residentes de Brumadinho pode estar relacionado às questões culturais, uma vez que Minas Gerais é um dos Estados brasileiros que mais consomem carne com gordura 30 . Foram verificadas, ainda, maiores prevalências desses marcadores de alimentação não saudável entre indivíduos do sexo masculino, nas faixas inferiores de idade, escolaridade e renda, assim como constatado em estudos nacionais 18,29 .…”