Determinants of ultra-processed food consumption in Brazilian children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the determinants of UPP consumption among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study at a reference hospital for the treatment of diabetes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The sociodemographic, anthropometric, dietary, and clinical factors associated with the percentage of total energy intake (TEI) consumed in the form of UPP were investigated. Food consumption was assessed by 24 h recall and the foods were classified according to the degree of processing as described in the NOVA classification, after which the TEI of each food group was calculated. Multiple linear regression was adopted in the analysis, and associations with p<0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

The study included 120 children and adolescents with a mean age of 11.74 ± 2.88 years, 53.3% female. Body mass index z-score was 0.65 (± 0.89) and 31.7% (n=38) were overweight. The average total energy consumption was 1,756.38 kcal (± 518.38). The mean percentage of TEI from UPP was 24.2% ± 17.9, meaning that 425.59 kcal (± 380.15) of all calories ingested came from such foods. The independent variables associated with the percentage of ultra-processed foods (UPP) in TEI were: per capita household income up to one the minimum wage (β: -22.03; CI 95% -35.24 to -8.82); and parents/guardians schooling of the up to nine years in formal education (β: 19.86; CI 95% 8.27-31.45).

CONCLUSIONS

Lower household income and fewer years in formal education seem to determine a preference for UPP over fresh and minimally processed foods.