Nutrition and health: the role of the ultra-processed foods.

Author(s)

Maria Laura da Costa Louzada

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP/CIR)
• Defense date: 2015-12-07

Examining board members

Carlos Augusto Monteiro; Denise Petrucci Gigante; Patrícia Constante Jaime; Rosely Sichieri; Sonia Isoyama Venancio

• Advisor: Carlos Augusto Monteiro

Abstract

Introduction: Rates of obesity and other chronic diseases have increased worldwide while micronutrient deficiencies remain a serious public health problem. This transition is paralleled with recent transformations in the globalizing food system, mainly characterized by the replacement of traditional food habits by the consumption of ultra-processed foods. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the consumption of ultra-processed foods in Brazil and its influence on the nutritional dietary quality and on obesity indicators, and to evaluate the use of household food acquisition data to estimate actual consumption of ultra-processed foods. Methods: Four manuscripts were produced based on data from the Brazilian Household Budget Survey 2008-2009. The first three manuscripts were based on the module of individual food consumption, which evaluated 34,003 Brazilian adolescents and adults. All food items were classified according to characteristics of food processing. Ultra-processed foods were defined as industrial formulations that are predominantly made from substances that are extracted from food (oils, fats, sugar), derived from food constituents (hydrogenated fats, modified starch) or synthesized in a laboratory from organic materials (colorants, flavorings, flavor enhancers). Examples included candies, chocolates, ice cream and confectionary in general, cookies, crackers, chips, sugar-sweetened beverages, hamburgers and other fast food dishes. Regression models were fitted to evaluate the association of quintiles of consumption of ultra-processed foods ( per cent of energy intake) with the nutrient intake profile (manuscripts 1 and 2) and obesity indicators (manuscript 3). In the fourth manuscript, estimates of the consumption of ultra-processed food obtained from the module of household food acquisition and from the module of individual food intake were compared. Results: The nutrient profile of ultra-processed foods, compared to the rest of the diet, revealed higher energy density, higher content in added sugar and in total, saturated, and trans fats, and lower in fiber, protein and many micronutrients. Higher contribution of ultra-processed foods to the total diet was associated with an overall deterioration of the nutrition profile of the diet. The 20 per cent lowest consumers of ultra-processed foods were anywhere near reaching international nutrient goals for the prevention of obesity and chronic non-communicable diseases. Individuals in the highest quintile of consumption of ultra-processed foods had significantly higher body-mass-index (0.94 kg/m2; 95 per cent CI: 0.42,1.47) and higher odds of being obese (OR=1.98; 95 per cent CI: 1.26,3.12) compared with those in the lowest quintile of consumption. Comparative analyses showed a reasonable agreement between the estimates of ultra-processed foods consumption obtained from household acquisition and individual food intake inside home data. Conclusions: The results from this study highlight the damage to health that is arising based on the observed trend of replacing traditional meals, based on natural or minimally processed foods, with ultra-processed foods. These results also support the recommendation of avoiding the consumption of these foods. In addition, our findings strengthen the use of household acquisition data, which is collected systematically in Brazil since the 70s, as a proxy of the actual intake of ultra-processed foods. In the absence of nationally representative dietary intake surveys, household data is a valuable tool to monitor national food and nutrition security. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/18027-0 - Consumption of ultraprocessed food products in Brazil and its influence on diet quality and nutritional status.
• Grantee: Maria Laura da Costa Louzada
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate