Main meal quality in Brazil and United Kingdom: Similarities and differences.

Consumption of fast food and ready-to-eat meals has been positively associated with obesity. In the UK, ready-made meals are more often consumed than in Brazil, a country in which nutrition transition is relatively low. This study aimed to compare the nutritional quality of the main meal consumed by adults in Brazil and UK. Food record data was obtained from representative samples from UK and Brazil databases. The Main Meal Quality Index (MMQI) was applied to estimate the quality of the main meal consumed in Brazil and UK. Differences in food groups consumed in the main meal in Brazil and UK were observed using classification decision tree. Meals with higher average energy content were lunch for Brazil, and dinner for the UK. On average, the Brazilian main meal had better nutritional quality (4.42 times higher), independently of sex, age, family income, nutritional status and energy consumed, with higher scores of fiber, carbohydrate, total fat, saturated fat and energy density. However, UK's main meal included more fruits and vegetables. Food preparations combined with rice and beans were classified as Brazilian main meal, while combinations with fast food items, as fried potatoes, sandwiches and sugary beverages, were classified as UK main meals. In Brazil, the main meal quality was lower among women and obese individuals, presenting significant positive association with age, and negative association with energy intake and family income; while in UK, only age was positively associated with MMQI. Although main meals in Brazil had higher nutritional quality compared to the UK, main meals consumed in both countries need nutritional improvement.

The reliability of an adolescent dietary pattern identified using reduced-rank regression: comparison of a FFQ and 3 d food record.

Despite the increasing use of dietary patterns (DP) to study diet and health outcomes, relatively few studies have examined the reliability of DP using different dietary assessment methods. Reduced-rank regression (RRR) is an emerging statistical method that incorporates a priori information to characterise DP related to specific outcomes of interest. The aim of the present study was to compare DP identified using the RRR method in a FFQ with those in a 3 d food record (FR). Participants were 783 adolescents from the Western Australian Pregnancy (Raine) Cohort Study who completed both a FFQ and FR at 14 years of age. A similar 'energy-dense, high-fat and low-fibre' DP was identified in the FFQ and FR that was characterised by high intakes of processed meat and sugar-sweetened beverages, and low intakes of vegetables and fresh fruit. Nutrient profiles for this DP were consistent in the FFQ and FR. Pearson's correlation coefficient between participants' z-scores for the DP identified in the FFQ and FR was 0·35 for girls and 0·49 for boys (P< 0·05). The mean difference between DP z-scores derived from the FFQ and FR was -0·08 (95 % CI -0·21, 0·04) for girls and -0·05 (95 % CI -0·17, 0·07) for boys. The 95 % limits of agreement were -2·55 to 2·39 for girls and -2·52 to 2·41 for boys. These findings suggest that very similar DP may be identified and their z-scores show modest agreement when applying the RRR method to dietary intake data collected from adolescents using a FFQ or FR.

Measuring the quality of main meals: Validation of a meal quality index / Medida da qualidade das principais refeições: validação de um índice de qualidade de refeição

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the internal validity and reliability of an index developed to assess the nutritional quality of meals. Methods The Main Meal Quality Index is composed of ten components. The final scores range from 0-100 points. The index performance was measured using strategies for assessing content validity, construct validity, discriminant validity and reliability. The analyses were performed using the Stata statistical software at a 5% significance level. Results The index was positively associated with carbohydrates, vegetable proteins, fibers, vitamins, folate and potassium and negatively associated with energy, total fat, saturated fat, animal protein, cholesterol, phosphorus, sodium, added sugar, and cholesterol biomarker. Significant differences were found between the two groups with marked disparities in dietary quality, smokers (50.2 points) and non-smokers (53.5 points). Conclusion The index might be a useful tool for assessing the nutritional quality of meals and for monitoring and comparing groups.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a validade interna e a confiabilidade do índice de qualidade das principais refeições. Métodos O indicador, Índice de Qualidade de Refeição, inclui dez componentes, com pontuação final que varia de 0 a 100 pontos. Estratégias de avaliação do desempenho do indicador incluíram: avaliação da validade de conteúdo, validade de construto, validade discriminante e confiabilidade. As análises foram realizadas no software estatístico Stata e adotou-se um nível de significância de 5%. Resultados O indicador associou-se positivamente com os nutrientes carboidrato, proteína vegetal, fibras, vitaminas, folato e potássio e negativamente à energia, gordura total, gordura saturada, proteína animal, colesterol, fósforo, sódio, açúcar adicionado e biomarcador de colesterol. Diferenças significativas foram encontradas entre dois grupos com disparidades acentuadas na qualidade da dieta, fumantes (50,2 pontos) e não fumantes (53,5 pontos). Conclusão O indicador pode ser uma ferramenta útil para avaliar a qualidade nutricional das refeições e ser empregado para monitorar e comparar grupos.