Consumption of ultra-processed foods and obesity in Australian population

• Grant number: 17/24601-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: May 01, 2018
• End date: April 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nutrition - Nutritional Analysis of Population
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Augusto Monteiro
• Grantee: Priscila Pereira Machado
• Supervisor: Gyorgy Scrinis
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Melbourne, Australia
• Associated to the scholarship: 16/13168-5 - Consumption of ultra-processed foods, dietary nutrient profile and obesity in seven countries. An Australian population study, BP.DR

Abstract

This proposal consists of a research internship at the Food Policy Research Group, University of Melbourne, under the supervision of Dr Gyorgy Scrinis from March 2018 to February 2019. The work plan prioritizes the research project development, which includes knowledge exchange on food consumption patterns, dietary nutrient profile and obesity and nutrition policies in Australia, literature review, statistical analyses, and writing a manuscript. The candidate will also attend academic activities, such as courses and seminars, and develop further scientific research. This proposal is part of the doctoral project of the candidate, which is part of the thematic project "Consumption of ultra-processed foods, dietary nutrient profile diet and obesity in seven countries". The objective of the current research project is to study the association between the ultra-processed food consumption and obesity status in Australia. The data source is the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NNPAS), conducted in 2011-12. This survey studied a random sample of the Australian population aged 2 years and over (n=12.153). Food consumption data were collected through two 24-h recalls. Ultra-processed foods are defined as industrial formulations made from substances not commonly used in culinary preparations. Weight and height data of respondents, measured during the interview, will be used to calculate the Body Mass Index and diagnosis of obesity (BMI >= 30 kg/m2). Generalized linear models will be used to study the association between the ultra-processed food consumption pattern and obesity status. These models will be adjusted by socio-demographic variables and other potential confounders, such as physical activity, and will consider the effect of dietary nutrient profile mediating variables.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MACHADO, PRISCILA PEREIRA; STEELE, EURIDICE MARTINEZ; LEVY, RENATA BERTAZZI; DA COSTA LOUZADA, MARIA LAURA; RANGAN, ANNA; WOODS, JULIE; GILL, TIMOTHY; SCRINIS, GYORGY; MONTEIRO, CARLOS AUGUSTO. Ultra-processed food consumption and obesity in the Australian adult population. NUTRITION & DIABETES, v. 10, n. 1, DEC 5 2020. (16/13168-5, 15/14900-9, 17/24601-4)