Quantitative and Qualitative Changes in Diet Associated with the Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods: A Survey on a Representative Sample of Manufacturing Workers in Brazil.

The increasing intake of ultra-processed (UP) foods is causing changes in the profile of food and nutrient consumption, negatively influencing consumer behavior. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of UP foods on the diet of Brazilian adults, verifying the association between its increasing contribution to total energy and trends in the consumption of other NOVA groups, food subgroups, energy consumption, and macro- and micronutrients. We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study of a probability sample of 921 manufacturing workers in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, from a combined stratified and two-stage survey. Trends in consumption across quintiles of UP food contribution to the total energy intake were tested with linear regression. The results showed that higher UP food consumption is associated with a higher intake of energy, carbohydrates and total-, mono- and polyunsaturated fats, saturated fats and trans fats, and the micronutrients calcium, iron and thiamine; and higher consumption of ready-to-eat foods, accompanied by lower consumption of foods that require preparation, such as beans, tubers and roots, vegetables and fruits, which may represent a risk for the development of non-transmissible chronic diseases in this population.

Relationships between Motivations for Food Choices and Consumption of Food Groups: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Survey in Manufacturing Workers in Brazil.

Motivations for food choices may determine consumption, and understanding that relationship may help direct strategies for formulating diets. This study aimed to identify associations between motivations for food choices and consumption of food groups. An observational cross-sectional survey was conducted in 921 manufacturing workers from 33 companies in Brazil, based on a stratified two-stage probability sample. Motivations for food choices were assessed with the Food Choice Questionnaire, and intake of food groups was measured using 24-h dietary recall. Consumption was classified into 31 food groups defined according to their nutritional value and the NOVA classification. Data were analyzed with multilevel mixed-effects regression. The results showed that sensory appeal and price were the most important motivations for food choices, while ethical concern was less important. Sensory appeal was positively associated with consumption of industrialized condiments (p = 0.022), price showed a negative correlation with consumption of plant oils (p = 0.022), ethical concern showed positive correlation within consumption white meat (p = 0.065) and negative correlation within pasta dishes (p < 0.001). Regarding the NOVA classification, health correlated with an increase in consumption of unprocessed foods (p = 0.017) and weight control with a decrease in consumption of processed culinary ingredients (p = 0.057).

Long-term effect of the Brazilian Workers' Food Program on the nutritional status of manufacturing workers: A population-based prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The Brazilian Workers Food Program (WFP) is a public policy program of nutritional assistance to workers, with the main objective of improving nutritional conditions, which was implemented 40 years ago and serves over 21.4 million workers. OBJECTIVES: To compare the long-term change in anthropometric indicators of the nutritional status and dietary intake between workers of manufacturing industries adherent to and non-adherent to the WFP. METHODS: A prospective cohort study, based on a combined stratified and multistage probability sampling, was carried out, with two waves with a 4-year interval. The change in body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and dietary intake at lunch by the 24-hour recall method were compared between groups with analysis of covariance. RESULTS: A total of 273 workers in 16 industries from an initial cohort of 1069 workers in 26 industries of the State of Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil were evaluated in the two waves. The mean age was 37±10 years and 53.1% were male, with no differences between groups in age and sex distribution. BMI increased in both groups (0.44 kg/m2 in non-WFP, p = 0.003, and 0.56 kg/m2 in WFP, p = 0.0006) and WC increased in the WFP group (1.50 cm, p = 0.0006). BMI change over time did not show statistical differences between groups (p = 0.54) but WC had a greater increase in the WFP group (difference 1.37 cm, p = 0.047). There were no differences between groups in the change over time of the dietary intake. CONCLUSION: BMI and WC increased over time in manufacturing workers of industries both adherent and non-adherent to the WFP, but with a greater increase of WC in the WFP group. In order to achieve the objectives of the WFP, there will be a need for periodic evaluation and monitoring of nutritional indicators in these workers and implementation of monitoring and enforcement actions of the WFP.