Consumption of healthy and unhealthy foods in adults according to binge drinking and sex - Brazil 2016

Abstract

Abstract Background Abusive alcohol intake is associated with noncommunicable diseases that exert a financial impact on public healthcare systems throughout the world. Alcohol affects the absorption of nutrients and plasma levels of fatty acids and exerts a negative impact on food consumption. Objective Determine the regular consumption (≥ 5 days/week) of healthy and unhealthy foods in adults (≥ 20 years) according to binge drinking and sex. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with data from the Surveillance System of Risk and Protection Factors for Chronic Diseases of the 2016 Vigitel telephone survey conducted by the Brazilian Health Ministry. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Information from 32,195 women and 19,490 men was analyzed, with binge drinking reported in 11.95% and 27.85%, respectively. Lower regular consumption of fruit (OR: 0.80; 95%CI: 0.69-0.92) and milk (OR: 0.82; 95%CI: 0.72-0.94) as well as greater consumption of red meat (OR: 1.27; 95%CI: 1.10-1.46) were found among the men who reported binge drinking. Lower regular consumption of natural juice (OR: 0.79; 95%CI: 0.67-0.93), fruit (OR: 0.64; 95%CI: 0.55-0.75) and milk (OR: 0.70; 95%CI: 0.60-0.82) as well as greater consumption of red meat (OR: 1.35; 95%CI: 1.14-1.59) and soft drinks/artificial juice (OR: 1.55; 95%CI: 1.24-1.94) were found among the women who reported binge drinking. Regarding sex, women consumed more raw vegetables (OR: 1.50; 95%CI: 1.24-1.82), cooked vegetables (OR: 1.79; 95%CI: 1.44-2.21), fruit (OR: 1.28; 95%CI: 1.07-1.55) and sweets (OR: 1.35; 95%CI: 1.05-1.72) as well as less red meat (OR: 0.71; 95%CI: 0.59-0.86) than men who also engaged in binge drinking. Conclusions Binge drinking was associated with a lower frequency of the regular consumption of healthy foods, such as fruit, vegetables and milk, as well as a greater consumption of red meat, soft drinks and sweets. Key messages Alcohol exerts a negative impact on food consumption. Abusive alcohol intake is associated with noncommunicable diseases.