Dietary quality maintained among overweight Brazilian women enrolled in a primary healthcare service.

The present study aimed to evaluate the dietary quality maintained among 113 overweight [body mass index (BMI) > or =25.0 kg/m2] women aged > or =20 years, who were enrolled in a Brazilian primary healthcare service in 2009. Dietary quality was evaluated using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-1995, which was adapted in the Brazilian context. Statistical analysis included linear regression adjusted by self-reporting energy intake. The prevalence of obesity (BMI > or = 30.0 kg/m2), elevated waist-circumference, and excessive body-fat were 85.8%, 98.2%, and 100% respectively. Data on dietary quality indicated an HEI score of 66.6 (11.3), with low mean scores for 'milk and dairy products' (2.6) and 'vegetables' (3.1). The calcium (beta=0.40) and vitamin C (beta=0.27) intake was positively associated with the HEI score. Fat (13 = -0.38) and sodium (beta = -0.21) intake and protein adequacy (beta = -18.17) were inversely associated with the dietary quality. We found that the dietary quality in this study population needs improvement, demonstrating the importance of nutritional counselling within the primary healthcare service.