Socioeconomic inequalities in the consumption of minimally processed and ultra-processed foods in Brazilian adolescents

• Published in: Ciência & saude coletiva Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. 1469 - 1476
• Main Authors: Costa, Bruno Gonçalves Galdino da, Duca, Giovani Firpo Del, Silva, Kelly Samara da, Benedet, Jucemar, Malheiros, Luis Eduardo Argenta, Quadros, Emanuele Naiara, Streb, Anne Ribeiro, Rezende, Leandro F M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Associação Brasileira de Saúde Coletiva 01.04.2022; ABRASCO - Associação Brasileira de Saúde Coletiva
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescents; Beans; Brazil; Carbonated Beverages; Childrens health; Eating behavior; Fast Foods; Female; Food; Food Handling; Health disparities; Humans; Male; Noodles; PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH; Socioeconomic Factors; Teenagers; Brazil; Alimentação saudável; Healthy eating; Adolescent; Fast foods; Food consumption; Consumo de alimentos; Adolescente
• ISSN: 1413-8123; 1678-4561; 1678-4561
• DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232022274.03372021

In this study, we evaluated socioeconomic inequalities in the consumption of in natura/minimally processed and ultra-processed foods among adolescents. We used data from the Brazilian National Survey of School Health (PeNSE), 2015. According to the self-reported consumption of beans, vegetables and fruits, a score of in natura/minimally processed foods was generated (0-21 points). Sodas, sweets, instant noodles, and ultra-processed meat were used for the score of ultra-processed foods (0-21 points). Equality indicators were gender, maternal education, and socioeconomic level. Absolute difference, ratios, concentration index and slope index of inequality were calculated. Adolescents (n=101,689, 51% girls, 14.2 years) reported a mean score of 9.97 and 11.46 for ultra-processed foods and in natura/minimally processed foods, respectively. Absolute and relative differences between adolescents with the highest and lowest socioeconomic level, there were differences of 2.64 points and 33% for consumption of in natura/minimally processed foods; and 1.48 points and 15% for ultra-processed foods. Adolescents from higher socioeconomic level ate more in natura/minimally processed foods and ultra-processed foods.