Association between depression and ultra-processed food consumption: a population-based study (Vigitel, 2023).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association of ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption with depression among Brazilian adults (≥18 years). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Data were obtained from a population-based survey conducted in 2023 (n = 21,690). UPF consumption was investigated using a questionnaire regarding the consumption on the previous day of 13 subgroups of UPF selected from those most consumed in Brazil according to a previous national survey (cutoff score ≥5 subgroups). The medical diagnosis of depression was self-reported. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the adjusted (by sex, age, education, presence of partner/spouse, and overweight) Odds Ratio (aOR) of UPF consumption according to the presence of depression. Analyses were conducted for the total population and stratified by sex. RESULTS: Medical diagnosis of depression was reported by 12.3%. The prevalence of high UPF consumption (≥5 subgroups) was 17.7%, being higher in men (22.0%) and those with depression (19.3%). Depression increased the chance of presenting a high UPF consumption among the total population (aOR 1.35; CI 95% 1.08-1.68) and women (aOR 1.35; CI 95% 1.03-1.77), with no association among men. CONCLUSION: The presence of depression was associated with greater consumption of UPF among Brazilian adults, especially among the female population. Public health actions to reduce UPF consumption could benefit from targeting this population group.

Health risk factors among adult individuals with and without diabetes in Brazil: Vigitel (2020-2023).

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the risk factors associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) among Brazilian adults. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Data of 75,860 Brazilian adults (≥18 years) were collected using the Surveillance System for Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (Vigitel) (2020-2023). Variables assessed included self-reported medical diagnosis of DM, sociodemographic factors (sex, age, schooling, marital status) and DM risk factors (regular consumption of sweetened beverages (≥5 times/week), infrequent consumption of fruits and vegetables, and beans (<5 times/week), insufficient physical activity, prolonged screen time on cell phones, computers, tablets (CCT), and television (TV), smoking, heavy episodic drinking, excess weight, and obesity). Logistic regression models estimated crude and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics) for the association between the risk factors and the presence of DM. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of self-reported DM in the population was 9.2%. There was a lower chance of regular consumption of sweetened beverages (aOR 0.79; 95% CI: 0.65-0.97) and heavy episodic drinking (aOR 0.77; 95% CI: 0.65-0.93) and a greater chance of insufficient physical activity (aOR 1.40; 95% CI: 1.25-1.55), prolonged TV screen time (aOR 1.22; 95% CI: 1.09-1.36), excess weight (aOR 1.62; 95% CI: 1.44-1.82) and obesity (aOR 1.87; 95% CI: 1.67-2.10) among individuals with DM. CONCLUSION: There was a lower chance of regular consumption of sweetened beverages and heavy episodic drinking among individuals with DM and a greater chance of insufficient physical activity, prolonged TV screen time, excess weight, and obesity, among that.

Time trend of overweight and obesity prevalence among older people in Brazilian State Capitals and the Federal District from 2006 to 2019.

Although the share of older people has been growing in Brazil in past decades, studies investigating trends in overweight and obesity prevalence in this population remain scarce. The objective of this study was to analyze the time trend of overweight and obesity prevalence in older adults in Brazilian State Capitals and the Federal District from 2006 to 2019. This is a time trend study based on data from the Surveillance System for Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey. The subsample used was composed of individuals aged 60 years or older (n = 202,049). Self-reported weight and height data were used to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI). Overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) prevalence were estimated per year for the total population and according to sex, age, schooling, region, and NCD presence. Prais-Winsten regression models were used to identify significant trends in overweight and obesity prevalence over the years. Overweight prevalence increased (p < 0.05) from 53.7 to 61.4% (1.09% per year) within the assessed period, whereas obesity prevalence increased from 16.1 to 22.3% (2.28% per year). Greater increases were observed among men, those aged 70 years old and over, with more than 9-year of schooling, and from less developed regions. The highest increases were observed in groups with the lowest values at the beginning of the study period. Results evidenced the high and growing prevalence of overweight and obesity among older people in Brazilian.

Risk and protective behaviors for chronic non-communicable diseases among Brazilian adults.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze behavioral patterns of protective and risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among adults and to explore the association between these patterns and sociodemographic characteristics using data from the National Health Survey 2013. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. METHODS: This is a population-based study, nationwide, of individuals aged ≥18 years (n = 60,202). The sampling process used was grouping with three selection stages: census sector, households, and individuals. The factor analysis by principal component was used to identify behavioral patterns of protective and risk factors for NCDs. Linear regression was used to explore the association between patterns and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Two behavioral patterns were identified: a 'protective pattern' featured by consumption of vegetable, fruits/natural fruit juice, and low-fat milk and recommended physical activity practice during leisure time; and a 'risk pattern' characterized by consumption of high-fat meat and soft drinks, alcohol abuse, and smoking habit. Adherence to the protective pattern was associated with older White women who had higher levels of education, were economically active, and lived in the urban areas of the country. Younger, economically active men living in the urban areas were associated with the risk patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Two behavioral patterns for NCDs have been identified and are distributed non-randomly in the adult Brazilian population. These findings are expected to contribute to better targeting health promotion and prevention of NCDs.

Brazilian obesity prevention and control initiatives.

Obesity prevalence in the Brazilian adult population is 12.5% among men and 16.9% among women. Obesity control has been a subject of concern in Brazilian health policies since the publication of the National Food and Nutrition Policy in 1999. The initiatives include a comprehensive national intersectorial plan for obesity prevention and control focused on confronting its social and environmental causes, development of a food and nutrition education framework aimed at intersectorial public policies in the food and nutritional security field, promotion and provision of healthy food in school environments (linked to family farming), structuring nutrition actions in primary healthcare in the national healthcare system, promoting community physical activity, food regulation and control, and encouragement of public participation and food control. We conclude that several initiatives have been developed in Brazil to deal with the challenge of implementing an intergovernmental, intersectorial response to reverse the rising overweight and obesity rates. The success of this response will depend on a governance model that promotes joint and integrated action by different sectors and active participation of society to consolidate the actions, places and laws that protect health and promote healthy lifestyles.