Association of Overweight with Food Portion Size among Adults of São Paulo – Brazil

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough studies show that portion size affects energy intake, few have demonstrated a link between portion size and weight status, especially in free-living populations. The objective of the present study was to assess the relationship between food portion sizes and overweight in a representative population of adults of São Paulo, Brazil.MethodsCross-sectional population-based study with 1005 adults from São Paulo, Brazil. Dietary data were obtained from two 24-hour recalls. Reported foods were classified into groups and energy contribution, prevalence of consumers and portion sizes were calculated. Individuals were classified according to BMI in with and without overweight. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between food portion sizes and being overweight.ResultsThe most consumed food groups were: beans, breads/rolls, coffee/tea, milk, rice, and sugar. Rice, red meat, breads/rolls, and white meat were the groups with the highest percentage of contribution to total energy intake. Butter/margarine, toasts/biscuits, sugar, and cakes were the groups with the highest energy density. After adjustment for confounding variables, overweight was associated with larger portions of pizza (OR = 1.052; p = 0.048), red meat (OR = 1.025; p = 0.043), rice (OR = 1.033; p<0.001), salted snacks (OR = 1.078; p = 0.022), and soft drinks (OR = 1.016; p = 0.007).ConclusionsLarger portions of few food groups with different energy densities were associated with being overweight, suggesting that overweight may be related to the consumption of larger portion sizes of a series of food groups, not a food group alone. Additionally, we highlight the importance of considering underreporting as a confounding factor in these associations.

Association between excess weight and beverage portion size consumed in Brazil

“…Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages were the only groups that showed a positive association with excess weight in this study. The effect of the soft drink portion on excess weight has also been evidenced in the study by Pereira et al 13 in the adult population of the city of São Paulo (OR = 1.016, 95%CI 1.004–1.028), but the authors emphasize that the portion size of other high energy food, such as pizza, red meat, and snacks, also contributes with excessive weight gain.…”

“…In Brazil, only one study has evaluated the food portion sizes consumed, in a sample of adults of the city of São Paulo. The authors have found that large food portions from some groups with different energy densities, such as pizza, red meat, rice, snack foods, and soft drinks, are positively associated with excess weight 13 . However, there are no national studies that have estimated the beverage portion size consumed in a representative sample of the country and its relationship with excess weight.…”

Differences over 12 Years in Food Portion Size and Association with Excess Body Weight in the City of São Paulo, Brazil

“…In a previous study, with 1005 adults from São Paulo in 2008, we observed a positive association between EBW and portion sizes of five food groupings: pizza, red meat, rice, salted snacks, and soft drinks [ 20 ]. In the present study, with larger sample size ( n = 5270) and broader age range (12 years and older), we confirmed the previous associations, and observed additional food groupings: cold cuts, fried snacks, fruit and commercial juices, soups, and sugar.…”

“…Foods and mixed dishes (such as feijoada, yakssoba and risotto) consumed by less than 5% of the population were not organized for grouping due to the low prevalence and high variability of nutritional values. Details of food grouping are reported in a previous ISA-Nutrition study by Pereira et al [ 20 ] and the list of foods that were included in each food grouping is described in Table S1 .…”

“…In Brazil, where more than half of the population have EBW, and one in every five adults is obese [ 19 ], only two studies have investigated the association between food portion sizes and EBW. One study with the population of São Paulo in 2008, found a positive association between EBW and larger portion sizes of pizza, red meat, rice, salted snacks, and soft drinks [ 20 ]. The other study, investigating the portion sizes of beverages in a representative sample of the country, found a positive association between alcoholic beverages and soft drinks and excess body weight [ 21 ].…”