Ultra-processed food consumption by Brazilian adolescents in cafeterias and school meals

Priscilla Rayanne E Silva Noll,Luiz Carlos De Abreu,Erika Aparecida Silveira,Edmund Chada Baracat,Isabel Cristina Esposito Sorpreso,Matias Noll

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-43611-x

Priscilla Rayanne E Silva Noll, Luiz Carlos De Abreu + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-43611-x

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Abstract

This cross-sectional study utilized the National School Health Survey 2015 database to assess the association between school cafeterias; the meals offered by the Brazilian School Food Program (PNAE); and the consumption of industrialized/ultra-processed salty foods, sweets, and soft drinks among Brazilian adolescents. A sample of 102,072 adolescents, aged 11–19 years, who were enrolled in the 9th grade completed the survey. The evaluated outcome was the consumption of industrialized/ultra-processed salty foods, sweets, and soft drinks. A Poisson regression model-based multivariate analysis was performed. The effect measure was the prevalence ratio (PR) with its respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The results indicated that Brazilian adolescents who attended schools without meals offered through the PNAE had a higher probability of regularly (≥5 times/week) consuming ultra-processed salty foods [PR = 1.06, CI = 1.01–1.11] and soft drinks [PR = 1.08, CI = 1.03–1.14] compared to those who attended schools that offered PNAE meals. Moreover, the presence of a school cafeteria was associated with a higher probability to consume industrialized/ultra-processed salty foods [PR = 1.05, CI = 1.02–1.08], sweets [PR = 1.09, CI = 1.07–1.11], and soft drinks [PR = 1.10, CI = 1.07–1.13]. School meals appear to be associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods by Brazilian adolescents, indicating areas for health promotion programs.

Highlights

Being overweight is a global public health problem and a key risk factor for the development of chronic, non-communicable diseases[1,2,3]
We assessed the association between school cafeterias and the meals offered by the PNAE and the consumption of industrialized/ ultra-processed salty foods, sweets, and soft drinks among Brazilian adolescents
Compared to their counterparts, a higher probability of consuming sweets was associated with female sex [prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.35, confidence intervals (CIs) = 1.33–1.38], and the presence of a cafeteria [PR = 1.09, CI = 1.07–1.11], while being aged ≥16 years was associated with a lower probability [PR = 0.92, CI = 0.88–0.96]

Summary

Introduction

Being overweight is a global public health problem and a key risk factor for the development of chronic, non-communicable diseases[1,2,3]. Browne and colleagues[20] evaluated three different types of school lunches: sourced from home, cafeterias, and take-out from food outlets in the Republic of Ireland They found that canteens and take-out purchased lunches had worse nutritional value than did packed lunches from home, as well as a greater amount of total fat and added sugars. Public schools offer free meals through the Brazilian School Food Program (Programa Nacional de Alimentação Escolar; PNAE), which aims to provide healthy meals for students[29,30]. This comprehensive and long-lasting program has been recognized nationally and internationally by global food and nutrition security organizations[29,30]. Brazilian school cafeterias, those in the private school system, sell food on school premises[5]

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