Análise da publicidade televisiva de alimentos no contexto das recomendações do Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira

Exposure and power of TV food advertising during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: a content analysis

BACKGROUND

With the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions imposed to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the Brazilian population has increased the time spent at home and watching television (TV). Since food advertising exposure is a key driver of food choices, this study described the content of food advertisements (ads) on Brazilian TV during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

This is an exploratory study. A total of 684 h of TV programming comprised of three free-to-air channels and two pay-per-view channels was recorded from 06 a.m. to 12 a.m. for eight non-consecutive days in June 2020. A content analysis of all the food-related ads was carried out. The data collection process followed INFORMAS Protocol for TV food advertising monitoring.

RESULTS

The sample was composed of 7,083 ads, 752 (10.6%) of which were food-related and 487 (6.9%) were promoting ultra-processed foods. The content analysis indicated seven thematic categories, all of them with reference to the COVID-19 pandemic: brand and product differentials (79.8%); visual and sound effects (70.2%); thematic campaigns (56.0%); digitization (22.9%); convenience (16.5%); economic benefits (11.9%); and commensality and social interaction (6.1%). Ads content varied according to the day of the week, the time of the day, the length of the ad, and the channel type.

CONCLUSIONS

The thematic of food advertising on Brazilian TV during the COVID-19 pandemic is aligned with the country's health crisis context and varied during the programming.

Projected impact of change in the percentage of energy from each NOVA group intake on cardiovascular disease mortality in Brazil: a modelling study

OBJECTIVE

Estimate reductions in cardiovascular mortality achievable through improvement in nutrient intakes according to processing level (NOVA classification), that is, reducing consumption of culinary ingredients (G2), processed (G3) and ultra-processed foods (G4) while encouraging consumption of unprocessed and minimally processed foods (G1).

DESIGN

Modelling study.

SETTING

General adult population of Brazil.

PARTICIPANTS

Men and women aged 25 or more years (34 003) investigated in the Household Budget Survey 2017-2018, in the consumption data module.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We used the IMPACT Food Policy Model to estimate the reduction in deaths from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) up to 2048 in five scenarios with reductions in saturated fat, trans fat, salt and added sugar intakes resulting from changes in NOVA groups. (1) The optimistic scenario modelised an increase in the energy intake provided by G1 and a reduction in the energy intake from G2, G3 and G4, return to previous levels. (2) The minimal scenario modelised a 3.7% increase in the energy intake from G1, and a reduction in the energy intake from G4 to the 2008-2009 level. (3) The modest scenario only modelised a 25.0% reduction of the energy intake from G2 and G3. (4) The intermediary scenario modelised the minimal scenario plus a 25.0% reduction in the energy intake from G2. (5) Finally, the advanced scenario modelised the minimal scenario plus a 25.0% reduction in the energy intake from G2 and G3.

RESULTS

Proposed changes in the optimistic scenario could prevent or delay 52.8% CVD-related deaths by 2048. Changes modelled in the minimal, modest, intermediary and advanced scenarios may result in a 10.1%, 28.4%, 31.4% and 38.6% reduction in 2048 CVD mortality, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial health gains can be achieved by improving the diet, through plausible modifications aimed at the level of processing as a tool for Brazilian food policies.

Food consumption according to degree of food processing, behavioral variables, and sociodemographic factors: Findings from a population-based study in Brazil

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the consumption levels of foods at different degrees of processing and their associations with sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of Brazilian adults.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional, population-based study involving 976 adult individuals (ages 20 to 59 y) of both sexes, living in the municipality of Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Participants were selected using a probabilistic sampling technique. Consumed foods were categorized into four groups: unprocessed or minimally processed foods, processed culinary ingredients, processed foods, and ultraprocessed foods. Associations were tested using linear regression.

RESULTS

Unprocessed and minimally processed foods accounted for 61.3% of the total energy intake and were positively associated with age and negatively associated with level of education (β = -6.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] [-10.16 to -3.57]) and sedentary behavior (β = 3.24; 95% CI [-5.88 to -0.61]). Ultraprocessed foods accounted for 23.6% of the total energy intake, and consumption was negatively associated with age and positively associated with sedentary behavior (β = 0.005; 95% CI [0.00008-0.01]) and tertiary education (β = 5.42; 95% CI [2.71-8.13]).

CONCLUSIONS

Ultraprocessed foods contribute more to the daily energy intake of younger individuals, and ultraprocessed food consumption is positively associated with sedentary activity and level of education.

Factors associated with the consumption of ultra-processed food by Brazilian adolescents: National Survey of School Health, 2015

Objective:

To identify the prevalence and factors associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods by Brazilian adolescents.

Methods:

The sample was representative of adolescents and participants in the cross-sectional population-based study National Survey of School Health, 2015 edition (PeNSE-2015). A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The variable weekly consumption of ultra-processed foods was considered, and consumption more than seven times a week was considered excessive. Descriptive and inferential analyses of demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral and environmental characteristics potentially associated with the outcome were performed. Poisson's multiple regression model was adjusted to control for confounding factors.

Results:

The prevalence of excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods among 16,324 adolescents in Brazil was 75.4%. Nine factors independently associated with this outcome were identified: age under 15 years (RR 1.08; p<0.001), daily sitting time greater than four hours (RR 1.13; p<0.001), eating while watching TV or studying more than four days a week (RR 1.09; p<0.001), daily TV time greater than three hours (RR 1.08; p<0.001), breakfast frequency less than four days a week (RR 1,03; p=0.001), having a cell phone (RR 1.12; p<0.001), absent maternal education (RR 0.88; p<0.001), being enrolled in a private school (RR 1.05; p=0.002) located in the urban area (RR 1.13; p=0.002).

Conclusions:

The results express the multifactorial characteristic of excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods and suggest the need for the development and implementation of health policies to guide the consumption of these foods and the importance of adopting healthy behaviors for this population group in both school and home environments.

Effect of ultra-processed foods consumption on glycemic control and gestational weight gain in pregnant with pregestational diabetes mellitus using carbohydrate counting

AIMS

The aims were to evaluate the consumption of ultra-processed foods by pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes mellitus (DM) using the carbohydrate counting method, in addition to investigating the association with total gestational weight gain and glycemic control.

METHODS

A cohort study of adult Brazilian pregnant women with pre-existing DM. Dietary intake was evaluated adopting the NOVA classification to identify the reported consumption of ultra-processed foods. Weight was measured at all consultations and laboratory tests were evaluated at each gestational trimester. Multivariate linear regression was used in the analysis.

RESULTS

Pregnant women (n = 42) presented mean total gestational weight gain of 12.02 ± 4.8 kg, 65.8% of them with inadequate weight gain. Daily consumption of ultra-processed foods was 272.37 ± 170.55 kcal. The increase of every 1 kcal in the calorie intake from ultra-processed foods in the third trimester increased glycated hemoglobin by 0.007% (β = 0.007, p = 0.025), raised 1-h postprandial glucose by 0.14 mg/dL (β = 0.143, p = 0.011), and added 0.11 kg to total gestational weight gain (β = 0.11, p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Ultra-processed food consumption influenced glycemic control and total gestational weight gain in pregnant women with DM.

PARTICIPATION OF ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS IN BRAZILIAN SCHOOL CHILDREN'S DIET AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS

Objective:

To evaluate the contribution of ultra-processed foods (UPF) in the schoolchildren diet and associated factors.

Methods:

Cross-sectional study with children from public schools in Southeast of Brazil, aged eight to 12 years old. A questionnaire was applied to the students to investigate anthropometric data, eating and lifestyle habits and food consumption. The consumption of UPF was evaluated by two 24-hour dietary recalls (24HR) of non-consecutive days, and the NOVA method was adopted for food classification. The sample was estimated considering the percentage of total caloric value from UPF identified by a similar study (n=260). The association between variables was evaluated by Simple and Multiple Logistic Regression.

Results:

The average energy consumption was 1992 kcal/day, 25.2% from UPF. Schoolchildren had a mean of 9.8±0.5 years of age, 53.4% were female and 32.6% were overweight. The most consumed UPF were industrialized pastas, sweet biscuits, sausages, chocolate powder and soft drinks. In the multivariate model, schoolchildren who have the habit of TV watching during meals and those with obesity presented 1.87 (95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.03-3.39) and 2.05 (95%CI 1,01-4.20) times more chance of having higher consumption of ultra-processed foods, respectively.

Conclusions:

The contribution of UPF was expressive in the feeding of the students and it was positively associated with the excess of weight and with the habit of eating while watching television. These findings indicate the importance of nutritional interventions to promote healthy habits, thus preventing overweight during childhood.

Ultra-processed food and beverage advertising on Brazilian television by International Network for Food and Obesity/Non-Communicable Diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support benchmark

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the extent and nature of food and beverage advertising on the three major Brazilian free-to-air television (TV) channels.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study. A protocol developed for the International Network for Food and Obesity/Non-Communicable Diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support was applied for data collection. A total of 432 h of TV programming was recorded from 06.00 to 24.00 hours, for eight non-consecutive and randomly selected days, in April 2018. All TV advertisements (ads) were analysed, and food-related ads were classified according to the NOVA classification system. Descriptive analyses were used to describe the number and type of ads, food categories and the distribution of ads throughout the day and time of the day.

SETTING

The three most popular free-to-air channels on Brazilian TV.

PARTICIPANTS

The study did not involve human subjects.

RESULTS

In total, 14·2 % (n 1156 out of 7991) of ads were food related (858 were specific food items). Approximately 91 % of food items ads included ultra-processed food (UPF) products. The top three most promoted products were soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and fast-food meals. Alcoholic beverage ads were more frequently broadcast in the evening.

CONCLUSION

The high risk of exposure of the Brazilian population to UPF ads should be considered a public health concern given the impact of unhealthy food advertising on people's food choices and health.

Association between the price of ultra-processed foods and obesity in Brazil

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

To estimate the relationship between the price of ultra-processed foods and prevalence of obesity in Brazil and examine whether the relationship differed according to socioeconomic status.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Data from the national Household Budget Survey from 2008/09 (n = 55 570 households, divided in 550 strata) were used. Weight and height of all individuals were used. Weight was measured by using portable electronic scales (maximum capacity of 150 kg). Height (or length) was measured using portable stadiometers (maximum capacity: 200 cm long) or infant anthropometers (maximum capacity: 105 cm long). Multivariate regression models (log-log) were used to estimate price elasticity. An inverse association was found between the price of ultra-processed foods (per kg) and the prevalence of overweight (Body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m²) and obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) in Brazil. The price elasticity for ultra-processed foods was -0.33 (95% CI: -0.46; -0.20) for overweight and -0.59 (95% CI: -0.83; -0.36) for obesity. This indicated that a 1.00% increase in the price of ultra-processed foods would lead to a decrease in the prevalence of overweight and obesity of 0.33% and 0.59%, respectively. For the lower income group, the price elasticity for price of ultra-processed foods was -0.34 (95% CI: -0.50; -0.18) for overweight and -0.63 (95% CI: -0.91; -0.36) for obesity.

CONCLUSION

The price of ultra-processed foods was inversely associated with the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Brazil, mainly in the lowest socioeconomic status population. Therefore, the taxation of ultra-processed foods emerges as a prominent tool in the control of obesity.

Nutritional quality of foods and non-alcoholic beverages advertised on Brazilian free-to-air television: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Evidence shows that foods marketed on television are often low-nutrient-dense foods associated with poor nutritional diet quality, obesity and non-communicable diseases. However, little research has been undertaken in Brazil around this issue. This study assessed the nutritional profile of foods and non-alcoholic beverages advertised on Brazilian television by applying the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO/Europe) nutrient profiling models.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study based on the International Network for Food and Obesity/non-communicable diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS) protocol. A total of 432 h on the three major Brazilian free-to-air TV channels was recorded from April 1st to 30th 2018. Recordings were done for eight non-consecutive and randomly selected days from 6 am to 12 am (midnight). All food-related ads were coded using a systematic approach and classified according to the PAHO and the WHO/Europe nutrient profile models as "eligible"/"not eligible" for marketing restrictions. Absolute and relative frequencies were used to describe absolute numbers and proportions of food and beverage advertisements. The nutritional profile of foods was compared by day, time of the day and types of TV program. For each advertisement, the parent company of promoted food products, supermarkets and restaurants was identified.

RESULTS

A total of 1610 food and beverage ads were broadcast, representing 18.1% of the total ads shown on selected channels. Over 80.0% of all foods and beverages advertised on Brazilian TV channels did not meet the PAHO and the WHO/Europe nutritional quality standards and were considered eligible for marketing restrictions. The proportion of unhealthy food ads was significantly higher on weekends, in the afternoon, and during soap operas programming. Altogether, 10 transnational and local food and beverage companies, two large international fast food chains and two of Brazil's largest supermarket retailers accounted for almost 90% of all unhealthy food ads shown.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the present study indicate a high exposure of the Brazilian population to unhealthy food marketing and an inefficient enforcement of existing regulations. Further research to monitor population exposure to unhealthy food marketing and understand the policy inertia that is preventing policy progress, is highly recommended.

Ultra-processed foods, incident overweight and obesity, and longitudinal changes in weight and waist circumference: the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)

Objective:

To evaluate the association of ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption with gains in weight and waist circumference, and incident overweight/obesity, in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) cohort.

Design:

We applied FFQ at baseline and categorized energy intake by degree of processing using the NOVA classification. Height, weight and waist circumference were measured at baseline and after a mean 3·8-year follow-up. We assessed associations, through Poisson regression with robust variance, of UPF consumption with large weight gain (1·68 kg/year) and large waist gain (2·42 cm/year), both being defined as ≥90th percentile in the cohort, and with incident overweight/obesity.

Setting:

Brazil.

Participants:

Civil servants of Brazilian public academic institutions in six cities (n 11 827), aged 35–74 years at baseline (2008–2010).

Results:

UPF provided a mean 24·6 (sd 9·6) % of ingested energy. After adjustment for smoking, physical activity, adiposity and other factors, fourth (>30·8 %) v. first (<17·8 %) quartile of UPF consumption was associated (relative risk (95 % CI)) with 27 and 33 % greater risk of large weight and waist gains (1·27 (1·07, 1·50) and 1·33 (1·12, 1·58)), respectively. Similarly, those in the fourth consumption quartile presented 20 % greater risk (1·20 (1·03, 1·40)) of incident overweight/obesity and 2 % greater risk (1·02; (0·85, 1·21)) of incident obesity. Approximately 15 % of cases of large weight and waist gains and of incident overweight/obesity could be attributed to consumption of >17·8 % of energy as UPF.

Conclusions:

Greater UPF consumption predicts large gains in overall and central adiposity and may contribute to the inexorable rise in obesity seen worldwide.

Association of body image (dis)satisfaction and perception with food consumption according to the NOVA classification: Pró-Saúde Study

The literature on body image and food consumption has generally focused on isolated food items, while overlooking the growing role of ultra-processed foods in the overall diet. The objective of this study was to assess the association of body image (dis)satisfaction and perception with food consumption, according to the NOVA classification, which takes into account the extent and purpose of industrial food processing. A silhouette scale developed considering the Brazilian adults' Body Mass Index was used to assess body image (dis)satisfaction and perception. Food consumption was evaluated using a Food Frequency Questionnaire, and its items were categorized into three groups: unprocessed or minimally-processed foods and culinary preparations; processed foods; ultra-processed foods. The association was assessed using linear regression models. A total of 514 of Brazilian university employees were evaluated. Women dissatisfied due to excess weight consumed less unprocessed or minimally-processed foods and culinary preparations (-6.6, 95% CI: -10.7; -2.5) and more ultra-processed foods (3.7, 95% CI: 0.1; 7.2) compared to satisfied. Women that overestimated their body size consumed less unprocessed or minimally-processed food and culinary preparations (-4.2, 95% CI: -7.3; -1.1), compared to those who had not distorted body image. Food consumption appears to be more strongly associated with body image (dis)satisfaction than with perception. An association was established between body image dissatisfaction and unhealthy eating habits. This relation deserves public health attention since it may contribute to the development of chronic diseases and reduce the quality of life and body image assessment could be adopted by nutritionists and other health professionals in their practice.

Association between watching TV whilst eating and children's consumption of ultraprocessed foods in United Kingdom

This study aimed to assess the association between watching TV whilst eating and consumption of ultraprocessed foods amongst children aged 4-10 years old in the United Kingdom. Cross-sectional data from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS 2008-2012) were analysed. Dietary data were derived from 4-day food diaries of 1,277 children, and the dietary contribution of ultraprocessed foods was assessed. Meals were classified based on time of day in which foods were consumed (lunch: 11 pm-3 pm and dinner: 6 pm-9 pm). Crude and adjusted linear regression models were employed to verify the effect of watching TV during meals on dietary contribution of ultraprocessed foods (% of total energy intake). More than 70% of the children watched TV during meals, and 31.4% presented the behaviour on both "lunch and dinner." Children's mean total energy intake was 1,532.3 kcal/day, of which 65.8% came from ultraprocessed foods. Findings indicated that children who watched TV whilst having both meals (lunch and dinner) consumed on average 85.5 kcal/day and 6.1% more energy from ultraprocessed foods than those who did not. Children who watched TV only during dinner consumed on average 37.1 kcal/day and 3.4% more energy from ultraprocessed foods than those who did not. The behaviour of watching TV whilst eating meals was associated with higher total daily consumption of ultraprocessed foods by children in the United Kingdom. Therefore, interventions designed to promote healthy eating habits should include aspects related to the context of meals.