Mudanças no consumo alimentar e status de peso de adolescentes brasileiros entre 2008 e 2018

Abstract

During adolescence, the process of taking responsibility for one's health-related behaviors, notably dietary habits, takes place. In recent decades, significant changes in dietary habits among populations worldwide, including adolescents, have been observed. Identifying and monitoring adolescents' food consumption has become necessary as inappropriate dietary habits are linked to the development of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs), such as obesity. Thus, the present study aimed to assess changes in the dietary intake and weight status of Brazilian adolescents between 2008 and 2018. This is a cross-sectional study using data from the National Dietary Survey (NDS) of 2008-2009 (n=7,425 adolescents) and 2017-2018 (8,264 adolescents). In 2008-2009, food consumption data were collected through two non-consecutive-day dietary records, and participants were weighed and measured by research agents. In 2017-2018, data were collected through two 24-hour dietary recalls on non-consecutive days, with probing questions about added items, and self-reported weight and height. Consumed foods were grouped into 17 food categories, and the average consumption of each group (by gender and socioeconomic level) and the caloric contribution of each group to the total caloric intake were estimated. The prevalence of weight status categories was determined based on BMI/age classification. Differences between surveys were assessed using 95% confidence intervals. Among male adolescents, the prevalence of underweight increased, as did the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and severe obesity. Among female adolescents, only the prevalence of overweight increased between the surveys. Considering any degree of overweight, boys increased from 24.4% to 34.5%, while girls showed a smaller increase, going from 22.3% to 30.1%. The main changes observed in the period, adjusted for gender and total caloric intake—i.e., qualitative changes—included a reduction in rice consumption by approximately 23g per capita per day, a decrease in dairy by 17g, a reduction in sweetened beverages by 28ml, with an increase in juice consumption in the same magnitude as the decrease in sweetened beverages, and an increase in pasta and fast food by 17g per capita per day. For the lower-income population, a notable increase in fast food consumption was observed, rising from 14.6g per day per capita to 22.8g. In comparing the two surveys, both weight status and dietary indicators showed worse outcomes, indicating a potential future increase in non-communicable chronic diseases, with obesity and diet as their main risk factors.