Consumption of ultra-processed foods during the first year of life and associated factors in Cruzeiro do Sul, Brazil.

Abstract

This article aims to assess the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) during the first year of life and associated factors. We analyzed data from the one-year follow-up of the MINA-Brazil birth cohort. Socioeconomic, demographic and obstetric data were collected in the baseline study and at one-year follow-up (n = 774). Dietary intake during the previous day was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire to determine UPF consumption. Multiple Poisson regression with robust variance was performed to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) and confidence intervals (95%CI) for factors associated with the consumption of ≥ 3 UPFs. Prevalence of UPF consumption and consumption of ≥ 3 UPFs was 87.5% and 40.5%, respectively. Consumption of ≥ 3 UPFs was associated with lower maternal education (≤ 9 years of schooling [PR: 2.02 95%CI 1.42; 2.87] and between 10-12 years of schooling [PR: 1.55, 95%CI 1, 11; 2.14]), below-average wealth index (PR: 1.26, 95%CI 1.04; 1.53), and having a teenage mother (PR:1.19, 95%CI 1.00; 1.49). Lack of dietary diversity was inversely associated with the outcome (RP: 0,65, IC95% 0,51; 0,81). The consumption of ≥ 3 UPFs was associated with lower wealth index, education and maternal age. Dietary diversity was associated with higher levels of UPF consumption.