Participation in a food assistance program and excessive weight gain: an evaluation of the Brazilian Worker's Food Program in male and female manufacturing workers.

BACKGROUND: Several published studies have reported an association between participation in a food assistance program and greater prevalence of overweight/obesity. Our aim was to compare nutritional status and nutrient consumption between workers from manufacturing companies participant and non-participant in the Brazilian Workers' Food Program (WFP). DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey, based on a probability sample of manufacturing workers in Brazil obtained by stratified two-stage sampling, comparative between WFP and non-WFP participating companies. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and nutrient consumption (24-hour recall) were collected by trained nutritionists. Statistical analysis was done separately in each sex with mixed effects multilevel linear regression model including sampling weights and covariate adjustment. RESULTS: Thirty-three companies were randomly selected from all companies in three different economic activity sectors (food and beverages, non-metallic minerals, and textiles) in North-eastern Brazil, with stratification by company size, and a random sample of 929 workers (484 from non-WFP and 445 from WFP companies) was obtained from those companies. In males, the WFP group had higher BMI (+ 1.08 kg/m2, p < 0.001), greater WC (+ 3.27 cm, p < 0.001) and greater prevalence of obesity (OR 1.67, p < 0.001). In females, no statistical significant differences were observed in anthropometric parameters, but the WFP group had lower prevalence of obesity (OR 0.49, p = 0.05). Among workers in companies that provide lunch, males from WFP companies have greater consumption of carbohydrates (+ 39.5 kcal, p = 0.02) and protein (+ 11.1 kcal, p = 0.08), while females have lower protein consumption (- 14.2 kcal, p = 0.04) and also lower total daily consumption of carbohydrates (- 59.3 Kcal, p = 0.05) and total lipids (- 14.2 Kcal, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Participation in the WFP is associated with increased BMI and WC among male workers; however, this association was not found in females. Compared to the non-WFP group, in the WFP group, males have greater consumption of carbohydrates and protein at lunch, while women have lower protein intake. These results indicate the need that proposals for public policies aimed to the improvement of the nutritional status of populations take into consideration the different effects of food assistance programs in males and females.

Prevalence of consumption of mechanically separated meat, consumer profile, nutrient intake and food choices among manufacturing workers in Northeastern Brazil.

Mechanically separated meat (MSM) is widely used in the food industry, however, there is a lack of studies on its consumption in populations. The objective of this study was to identify the frequency and amount of MSM consumption, factors associated with MSM consumption, nutrient intake and preferential choice of food groups among MSM consumers. This was an observational, cross-sectional prospective study based on a probability sample of manufacturing workers, conducted in Brazil. Logistic and linear multiple regression with robust standard errors were used. 921 workers from 33 manufacturing companies were studied, with an average age of 38.2 ± 10.7 years, 55.9% males. MSM products are consumed by 28.8% and represent in average 10% of total daily caloric intake, and 47.3% of the daily kcal from ultra-processed products. Younger age and greater waist circumference are associated with MSM consumption. Younger age and lesser educational level are associated with increased contribution of MSM to total daily kcal intake. MSM consumers have greater consumption of energy, fats, carbohydrates and sodium. Their dietary patterns are characterized by lower consumption of in natura and minimally processed foods, such as tubers and roots, fruits, white and red meat, and eggs and greater consumption of ultra-processed foods and beverages.

Relationship Between Metabolic Syndrome and the Brazilian Workers' Food Program in Male and Female Manufacturing Workers.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have reported increased cardiometabolic risk among workers assisted by food assistance public policies. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its individual components among manufacturing workers and their relationship to the Brazilian Workers' Food Program (WFP). METHODS: It was a prospective, cross-sectional, two-stage survey comparative of manufacturing workers from companies adherent and non-adherent to the WFP stratified by sector of activity and company size. The workers were interviewed in the workplace, and data on waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, and 12-hours fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum triglycerides (TG), and total and HDL-cholesterol were obtained. Mixed effects multilevel regression was used to compare WFP and non-WFP groups separately in each sex. All subjects gave written informed consent. RESULTS: The survey included 332 workers from 16 WFP companies and 344 workers from 17 non-WFP companies. The general prevalence of MetS, according to IDF/AHA/NHLBI criteria, was high but not statistically different between sexes (39.8% in females versus 28.5% for males, p=0.16). Statistically significant differences were found between sexes in the prevalence of individual components: WC (77.8% in females versus 38.3% in males, p=0.002), TG (27.3% in females versus 40.8% in males, p=0.07), and HDL-C (52.2% in females versus 43.1% in males, p=0.05). Among males, MetS prevalence was significantly higher in the WFP group (33.0% versus 23.9%, p=0.008), and, in the individual components, the WFP group had higher prevalence of increased WC (47.0% versus 29.4%, p<0.001) and elevated FBG (8.9% versus 6.3%, p<0.001), as well as greater average levels of TG, HDL-C and FBG. Among female workers, no statistically significant differences between groups were observed in MetS prevalence and its individual components, but WFP female worker presented lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: In a low-income population, male manufacturing workers participating in a food assistance program are at increased risk of MetS, an effect that was not identified among female workers.