Underreporting of energy intake is not associated with the reported consumption of NOVA-classified food groups in socially vulnerable women.

Abstract

Few studies have investigated which types of food are least reported among underreporters of energy intake (EI). This study assessed the association between the underreporting of EI and the consumption report of food groups according to NOVA classification in women in social vulnerability. EI was measured through three 24-h dietary recalls administered by the research team. Total energy expenditure (TEE) was evaluated using the doubly labelled water method. The percentage of EI arising from each NOVA group food classification (unprocessed/minimally processed foods, culinary ingredients, processed foods and ultra-processed foods [UPF]) was calculated. The agreement between the EI and the TEE was assessed using the ratio EI:TEE. Associations were assessed with Pearson's correlation and multivariable linear regression, adjusted for age, education and body fat. The sample (63 women, age: 30.8 years, Body Mass Index: 27.6kg/m2 ) reported an EI of 1849 kcal and a TEE of 2223 kcal, with a mean EI:TEE of 0.85. There were no significant correlations between the EI:TEE and the reported food intake according to NOVA classifications. Multivariable linear regression also did not show any significant associations (UPF: 8.47, 95% CI: [-3.65; 20.60] %kcal; Processed: -6.85, [-19.21; 7.71] %kcal; Culinary ingredients: 1.30 [-5.10; 7.71] %kcal; Unprocessed/minimally processed: -2.92 [-10.98; 5.13] %kcal). In conclusion, socially vulnerable women that underreport their EI do not report a lower intake of any specific group of foods according to NOVA classification.