Consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods in overweight adult subjects

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of fresh, processed and ultraprocessed foods in the caloric intake of macronutrients and fibers in overweight adult subjects. This is a cross-sectional study with a quantitative frequency questionnaire to evaluate dietary habits. The foods consumed were classified into three groups: Group 1 (G1) - in natura or minimally processed foods; Group 2 (G2) - processed foods and culinary ingredients (salt, sugar, olive oil and vinegar) and Group 3 (G3) - ultraprocessed foods. Energy consumption, macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and lipids) and fiber intake were estimated in 93 participants, of which 72.0% were women and the majority of participants presented obesity and hypertension.  The median caloric intake of the participants was 2002.1 calories / day, being 58.4% carbohydrates, 17.7% proteins, 28.1% lipids and 7.6g (Why was it not here?) of fibers. Considering the degree of food processing, we evidenced a median consumption of 975.5 calories per day, 29.4% carbohydrates, 11.5% proteins, 10.9% lipids and 18.6g fiber in G1. For the foods of Groups 2 and 3, lower values of energy consumption (442.3 and 491.5 calories), carbohydrates (10.1% and 14.6%), proteins (3.1% and 2.1 %) lipids (8.5% and 6.7%) and fibers (2.0g and 3.1g), respectively. The data from the study indicate that in natura (G1) foods were the ones that presented the greatest contribution to the caloric intake of individuals with excess weight. When considered the consumption of processed (G2) and ultraprocessed (G3) foods together, the contribution of these to the caloric and carbohydrate intake of the participants was similar to the consumption of in natura foods. Thus, the consumption of these processed and ultraprocessed foods was relatively high in food, contributing to higher consumption of energy, sugars and unhealthy fats, together with low fiber contents.