Assessment of food consumption, according to the degree of food processing, dietary diversity and associated sociodemographic factors, in pregnant Brazilian women living in Rio de Janeiro.

[vc_row mobile_bg_img_hidden=”no” tablet_bg_img_hidden=”no” woodmart_parallax=”0″ woodmart_gradient_switch=”no” row_reverse_mobile=”0″ row_reverse_tablet=”0″ woodmart_disable_overflow=”0″][vc_column mobile_bg_img_hidden=”no” tablet_bg_img_hidden=”no” woodmart_parallax=”0″ woodmart_sticky_column=”false” parallax_scroll=”no” mobile_reset_margin=”no” tablet_reset_margin=”no”][vc_column_text text_larger=”no”]A nutrição materna durante a gestação pode contribuir para o surgimento de doenças no período fetal e na idade adulta. Evidências relevantes indicam o impacto negativo do processamento de alimentos na saúde. No entanto, o consumo materno de alimentos ultraprocessados é pouco investigado. The aim of this study was to analyze food consumption according to the degree of food processing, dietary diversity, and associated sociodemographic factors during pregnancy.

Data were collected from a birth cohort study conducted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, comprising 142 pregnant women. Diet was assessed using a qualitative food frequency questionnaire. Foods were classified according to the NOVA classification system into two main groups: the non-ultra-processed food group, which included unprocessed or minimally processed foods, processed culinary ingredients, and processed foods; and the ultra-processed food group. Foods were then divided into seven subgroups: fruits and vegetables; rice and beans; meat and eggs; fish; sausages and other reconstituted meat products; fast food; and packaged ready meals. The first four groups were considered non-ultra-processed, and the remaining subgroups ultra-processed. Scores for these groups were calculated, reflecting the weekly intake of more than one subgroup. The dietary diversity of the non-ultra-processed food fraction was described according to the guidelines of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The association between food consumption and sociodemographic factors was investigated using logistic regression models.

The women participating in the study had an average age of 28 years, 76% self-identified as non-white, 38% reported having low per capita income, and approximately 68% had completed high school. More than 80% of pregnant women reported regularly consuming all non-ultra-processed food groups, except fish; more than 60% reported consuming at least three ultra-processed food groups; and only 25% presented adequate dietary diversity.

The study showed that more than a third of pregnant women reported weekly consumption of at least two subgroups of ultra-processed foods, and a quarter of individuals reported having a diversified diet. A positive association was observed between education level and regular consumption of non-ultra-processed foods ("meat and eggs"). White pregnant women reported higher consumption of pre-packaged ready meals.

The results also elucidated the influence of sociodemographic characteristics on diet quality during pregnancy. A healthier maternal diet should be encouraged, given the window of opportunity to improve diet quality during pregnancy for the long-term benefits of mothers and their children.[/vc_column_text]

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