Abstract
Abstract Objectives: to characterize pregnant women’s eating habits and compare them to women of reproductive age, and to analyze the association between pregnancy and eating habits. Methods: a cross-sectional study with 13,108 women aged 18 to 50 years (179 pregnant women), included in the Vigitel 2018 telephone survey. Eating habits were assessed by the frequency of food consumption considered as food quality markers and by food eaten in previous day. NOVA classification was used to categorize food into: natural/minimally processed, and ultra-processed food products. The differences were verified by Pearson's Chi-square test and Poisson multiple regression. Results: in pregnant women, we observed lower percentages of natural juice intake (27.5%) and fruit (10.1%) 0-2 times/week, and higher percentages of juice (36.4%) 3-4 times and fruit (74.2%) ≥ 5 times/week compared to non-pregnant women. No differences were detected in the daily frequencies of food intake among the women. The day before the interview, almost 95% of the pregnant women consumed ultra-processed products. Pregnant women reported a lower frequency of soft drink consumption (12.3%) and sauces (7.4%) than non-pregnant women. Conclusion: pregnant women and non-pregnant women had high consumption of ultraprocessed products, highlighting the necessity of interventions, aiming to promote healthy eating.
Highlights
The golden rule of the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population, is that, "always prefer fresh or minimally processed foods and culinary preparations to ultra-processed food", brings recommendations that seek to promote a healthy diet prioritizing the consumption of cereals, beans, roots and tubers, milk, fruit, vegetables, eggs, meat, water, and culinary preparations made with these food, as well as small amounts of salt, sugar and fat.[1,2]
Pregnant women had a higher proportion of fruit juice consumption with a frequency of 3 to 4 days a week (36.4% versus 19.1%) and fruit 5 or more days a week (74.2% versus 48.5%), in relation to nonpregnant women (Table 2)
This study compares the pregnant women and women of reproductive age (18 to 50 years old) eating habits, living in Brazilian capitals and the Federal District, who participated in the Vigitel telephone survey (2018)
Summary
Healthy eating is a determinant of individuals’ health status. The golden rule of the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population, is that, "always prefer fresh or minimally processed foods and culinary preparations to ultra-processed food", brings recommendations that seek to promote a healthy diet prioritizing the consumption of cereals, beans, roots and tubers, milk, fruit, vegetables, eggs, meat, water, and culinary preparations made with these food, as well as small amounts of salt, sugar and fat.[1,2] Consumption of ultra-processed food, such as soft drinks, powdered juices, cookies, packet snacks, margarine, sweetened yogurts, instant noodles, chicken nuggets and, among others, should be avoided at all stages of life.[1,2]The high consumption of ultra-processed food, due to their high concentration of sugars, fat, salt, food dyes and other additives,[3] is associated with the development of chronic non-communicable diseases for both general population and pregnant women.[3,4] A study that analyzed pregnant women’s diet in Botucatu/SP/Brazil found that one quarter of the average energy consumption came from ultraprocessed food, with higher numbers in younger pregnant women, of higher schooling and having their first child, during the trimesters of pregnancy.[5]. The high consumption of ultra-processed food, due to their high concentration of sugars, fat, salt, food dyes and other additives,[3] is associated with the development of chronic non-communicable diseases for both general population and pregnant women.[3,4]. A study that analyzed pregnant women’s diet in Botucatu/SP/Brazil found that one quarter of the average energy consumption came from ultraprocessed food, with higher numbers in younger pregnant women, of higher schooling and having their first child, during the trimesters of pregnancy.[5]. In Ribeirão Preto/SP/Brazil, ultra-processed food accounted for 32% of the total calories consumed by pregnant women, and the consumption was higher among younger women with a better socioeconomic level.[6]. In Campinas/SP/Brazil, a study with high-risk pregnant women showed the negative impact of ultra-processed food items on the nutritional profile, leading to higher energy density, high sugar content, sodium, fat, and low protein and nutrient content.[7]. It is noteworthy that national investigations on the consumption of ultra-processed food during pregnancy are still scarce
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