Socioeconomic differences in diet composition of the adult population in southern Brazil: a population-based study

Education and Income Levels are Associated With Energy and Micronutrient Intake

Introduction: According to the literature, education and income are determinants factors of diet quality and consequently of micronutrient intake. However, this association is still little known among adults who live in middle-income countries. Objective: To estimate energy and micronutrients intake by men and women living in a capital city in southern Brazil, according to education and income levels, and to identify prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intake according also to education and income levels. Method: This is a second wave cross-sectional analysis of a population-based longitudinal study, the EpiFloripa Adultos, including 1,222 individuals of 22-63 years. Data on food consumption were obtained through applying two 24-hour dietary recalls, and the prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intake, following the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine and from the National Research Council. Results: A tendency of increased intake with an increase in income (calcium, vitamins C, E) and education levels (calcium, vitamins A, C, D) was observed for most of the micronutrients analyzed (p<0.05 in all cases); still, a prevalence of inadequacy according to Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) between 85.5-100% in intake of vitamins A, D and E were found for the whole sample. Iron inadequate intake was associated with education level and among women less than 50 years of age (p=0.018). Conclusion: The results showed an influence of the education and income levels on micronutrient intake, point to the need of daily food consumption, of minimally processed and in natura foods (as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, milk and its derivatives) as a means to reduce the encountered inadequacies.