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Costa RM, Oliveira AG, Torres KG, Souza AM, Pereira GS, Bezerra IWL. Quantitative Assessment of the Inadequate Intake of Macronutrients, Minerals, and Vitamins Associated with Ultra-Processed Food Consumption. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:888. [PMID: 39063465 PMCID: PMC11276910 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21070888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Studies indicate that ultra-processed food (UP) consumption correlates negatively with essential vitamin and mineral intake and positively with sodium and lipid intake. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between UP consumption and deviations from nutritional guidelines. An observational, cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on a probability sample of manufacturing workers in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Food consumption was assessed with a 24 h recall survey, and nutrient intake inadequacies were calculated as the difference between individuals' intake of energy, macronutrients, minerals and vitamins, and the dietary reference intakes for individuals of the same sex and age group, and then analyzed for trends across the percentage contribution of UP to total energy intake with nonparametric multiple regression adjusted for covariates. The study included 921 workers from 33 industries, 55.9% male, with a mean age of 32 years. Overall, the study population exhibited deficits in energy, all macronutrients, and in some micronutrients. With increasing UP contribution to total energy intake, there is a trend towards a greater intake of energy (p < 0.001), total, saturated, monounsaturated, and trans fats (p < 0.001), n6-polyunsaturated fatty acids (p = 0.03), carbohydrates (p < 0.001), calcium (p = 0.008), and manganese (p < 0.001), thiamin (p < 0.001), and vitamin B6 (p = 0.01); however, this comes with a negative consequence in terms of reducing the protein consumption (p = 0.037), fiber (p = 0.035), copper (p = 0.033), and vitamin E (p = 0.002) intake. The results show that correcting energy and micronutrient deficiencies by increasing UP consumption can also lead to a decrease in diet quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raiane M. Costa
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59012-570, RN, Brazil; (R.M.C.); (A.G.O.); (K.G.T.); (A.M.S.); (G.S.P.)
| | - Antonio G. Oliveira
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59012-570, RN, Brazil; (R.M.C.); (A.G.O.); (K.G.T.); (A.M.S.); (G.S.P.)
- Pharmacy Department, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59012-570, RN, Brazil
| | - Karina G. Torres
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59012-570, RN, Brazil; (R.M.C.); (A.G.O.); (K.G.T.); (A.M.S.); (G.S.P.)
| | - Anissa M. Souza
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59012-570, RN, Brazil; (R.M.C.); (A.G.O.); (K.G.T.); (A.M.S.); (G.S.P.)
| | - Gabriela S. Pereira
- Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59012-570, RN, Brazil; (R.M.C.); (A.G.O.); (K.G.T.); (A.M.S.); (G.S.P.)
| | - Ingrid W. L. Bezerra
- Nutrition Department, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59078-970, RN, Brazil
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Ravandi B, Mehler P, Ispirova G, Barabási AL, Menichetti G. GroceryDB: Prevalence of Processed Food in Grocery Stores. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2022.04.23.22274217. [PMID: 38883708 PMCID: PMC11177926 DOI: 10.1101/2022.04.23.22274217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The offering of grocery stores is a strong driver of consumer decisions, shaping their diet and long-term health. While highly processed food like packaged products, processed meat, and sweetened soft drinks have been increasingly associated with unhealthy diet, information on the degree of processing characterizing an item in a store is not straightforward to obtain, limiting the ability of individuals to make informed choices. Here we introduce GroceryDB, a database with over 50,000 food items sold by Walmart, Target, and Wholefoods, unveiling how big data can be harnessed to empower consumers and policymakers with systematic access to the degree of processing of the foods they select, and the potential alternatives in the surrounding food environment. The wealth of data collected on ingredient lists and nutrition facts allows a large scale analysis of ingredient patterns and degree of processing stratified by store, food category, and price range. We find that the nutritional choices of the consumers, translated as the degree of food processing, strongly depend on the food categories and grocery stores. Moreover, the data allows us to quantify the individual contribution of over 1,000 ingredients to ultra-processing. GroceryDB and the associated http://TrueFood.Tech/ website make this information accessible, guiding consumers toward less processed food choices while assisting policymakers in reforming the food supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Ravandi
- Network Science Institute and Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
| | - Peter Mehler
- Department of Computer Science, IT University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gordana Ispirova
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Albert-László Barabási
- Network Science Institute and Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Department of Network and Data Science, Central European University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Giulia Menichetti
- Network Science Institute and Department of Physics, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Harvard Data Science Initiative, Harvard University, Boston, USA
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Frank T, Ng SW, Lowery CM, Thow AM, Swart EC. Dietary intake of low-income adults in South Africa: ultra-processed food consumption a cause for concern. Public Health Nutr 2024; 27:e41. [PMID: 38204376 PMCID: PMC10882538 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980023002811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Given the rapidly changing food environment and proliferation of ultra-processed foods (UPF) in South Africa (SA), this study aimed to critically evaluate dietary quality and adequacy of low-income adults using the Nova classification system and WHO and World Cancer Research Fund dietary guidelines. DESIGN Secondary household data and 1-d 24-h recalls were analysed from two cross-sectional studies conducted in 2017-2018. Foods consumed were classified according to the Nova classification system. Compliance with WHO dietary guidelines and UPF consumption trends were evaluated. SETTING Three low-income areas (Langa, Khayalitsha and Mount Frere) in SA were included. PARTICIPANTS In total, 2521 participants (18-50 years) were included in the study. RESULTS Participants had a mean energy intake of 7762 kJ/d. Most participants were within the acceptable WHO guideline range for saturated fat (80·4 %), total fat (68·1 %), Na (72·7 %) and free sugar (57·3 %). UPF comprised 39·4 % of diets among the average adult participant. Only 7·0 % of all participants met the WHO guideline for fruit and vegetables and 18·8 % met the guideline for fibre. Those within the highest quartile of share of energy from UPF consumed statistically higher amounts of dietary components to limit and were the highest energy consumers overall. CONCLUSIONS Low-income adults living in SA are consuming insufficient protective dietary components, while UPF consumption is prevalent. Higher UPF consumers consume larger amounts of nutrients linked to increased chronic disease risk. Policy measures are urgently needed in SA to protect against the proliferation of harmful UPF and to promote and enable consumption of whole and less UPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamryn Frank
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, Cape Town7535, South Africa
| | - Shu Wen Ng
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health and the Carolina Population Center, The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Caitlin M Lowery
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health and the Carolina Population Center, The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Anne-Marie Thow
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth C Swart
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
- DSI/NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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Borges CA, Khandpur N, Neri D, Duran AC. Comparing Latin American nutrient profile models using data from packaged foods with child-directed marketing within the Brazilian food supply. Front Nutr 2022; 9:920710. [PMID: 36532519 PMCID: PMC9755586 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.920710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to examine and compare the extent to which different nutrient profile models (NPMs) from Latin America (LA) identify packaged foods and beverages with child-directed marketing sold in Brazil as being high in nutrients associated to the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated 3,464 foods found in the five largest Brazilian supermarkets. Child-directed marketing was coded using the International Network for Food and Obesity/NCDs Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS) protocol. Differences in medians of sugar, saturated fats, and sodium per 100 kcal in foods, with the presence and absence of child-directed marketing, were tested using the Mann-Whitney test. We compared six NPMs in LA and examined to what extent they targeted these products using prevalence ratios. Analyses were performed overall and by the degree of food processing according to the Nova food classification. RESULTS We found 1,054 packages with child-directed marketing. Among these, candies, cakes and pies, sauces and creams, and sugar-sweetened beverages were significantly higher in sugar, saturated fat, and sodium per 100 kcal than products that are not targeted at children (p < 0.05). Compared with PAHO and the Mexico models, the Brazilian NPMs would allow three times more ultra-processed foods to omit warnings for sodium (p < 0.05). The Uruguayan NPM also flagged fewer ultra-processed foods high in sodium (p < 0.05). The Brazilian model also allows four times more sugar-sweetened beverages and six times more dairy drinks to omit warnings for sugar than the Mexico and PAHO models. In comparison to all other NPMs, the Brazilian model showed the worst performance in identifying baked goods as high in sodium. Chile, Uruguay, and Peru models would also target significantly less sugar-sweetened beverages and high in at least one critical nutrient than PAHO and Mexico models. CONCLUSION Compared with other NPMs in LA, the NPM criteria adopted in Brazil are more permissive and less likely to inform consumers of the poor nutritional quality of ultra-processed foods and beverages with child-directed marketing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Aparecida Borges
- Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Center for Food Studies and Research, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Neha Khandpur
- Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Daniela Neri
- Center for Epidemiological Research in Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Clara Duran
- Center for Food Studies and Research, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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Ale BM, Noubiap JJ. Front-of-pack labeling: a health literacy intervention to improve cardiovascular health in Sub-Saharan Africa. GLOBAL HEALTH JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.glohj.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Wiles NL. The battle against ultra-processed food consumption in a post-COVID-19 era. SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/16070658.2022.2105492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Laurelle Wiles
- Dietetics and Human Nutrition, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Science, College of Agricultural, Engineering, and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
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Bopape M, De Man J, Taillie LS, Ng SW, Murukutla N, Swart R. Effect of different front-of-package food labels on healthfulness perception of ultraprocessed food and intention to purchase the products- A randomised controlled trial. Appetite 2022; 179:106283. [PMID: 36027994 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different labels on participants: identifying products high in nutrients of concern; identifying unhealthy products, and intention to purchase unhealthy products. This blinded randomised controlled trial included a representative sample of South African households (n = 1951). Per household we selected a member primarily responsible for food purchases. Participants were randomised into the Warning Label (WL), Guideline Dietary Amounts (GDA) or Multiple Traffic Light (MTL) arms. Each participant answered questions in a no label condition (control) followed by same questions in the label condition (experiment). Complete data were collected and analysed for 1948 participants (WL = 33.7%, GDA = 32.1% and MTL = 34.2%). The probability of correctly identifying products high in nutrients of concern and identifying products as being unhealthy was higher with the WL compared to the GDA or MTL for most items. There was no difference in performance between the GDA and the MTL when considering all items together. A higher percentage of participants reported a lower intention to purchase an unhealthy product after exposure to the WL compared to MTL for 5 out of 6 products; 2 out of 6 products for the WL compared to GDA and 2 out of 6 products for GDA compared to MTL. Compared to the control condition, exposure to each of the labels resulted in better identification of nutrients of concerns, unhealthy products and a lower intention to purchase when considering all specific outcome items together. The WL showed a higher potential to enable South African consumers to identify products high in nutrients of concern, identify unhealthy products and discourage purchasing of unhealthy products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoma Bopape
- Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Limpopo, South Africa; Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, South Africa.
| | - Jeroen De Man
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Lindsey Smith Taillie
- Carolina Population Center and Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.
| | - Shu Wen Ng
- Carolina Population Center and Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.
| | | | - Rina Swart
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, South Africa.
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Frank T, Ng SW, Miles DR, Swart EC. Applying and comparing various nutrient profiling models against the packaged food supply in South Africa. Public Health Nutr 2022; 25:1-31. [PMID: 35168688 PMCID: PMC9378746 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980022000374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to apply the newly developed Chile Adjusted Model (CAM) nutrient profiling model (NPM) to the food supply in South Africa (SA) and compare its performance against existing NPMs as an indication of suitability for use to underpin food policies targeted at discouraging consumption of products high in nutrients associated with poor health. DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis of the SA packaged food supply comparing the CAM to three other NPMs: SA health and nutrition claims (SA HNC), Chilean warning octagon (CWO) 2019, and Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) NPM. SETTING The SA packaged food supply based on products stocked by supermarkets in Cape Town, SA. PARTICIPANTS Packaged foods and beverages (N=6474) available in 2018 were analyzed. RESULTS 49% of products contained excessive amounts of nutrients of concern (considered non-compliant) according to the criteria of all four models. Only 10.9% of products were not excessive in any nutrients of concern (considered compliant) according to all NPMs evaluated. The CAM had an overall non-compliance level of 73.2%, and was comparable to the CWO 2019 for foods (71.2% and 71.1% respectively). The CAM was the strictest NPM for beverages (80.4%) due to the criteria of non-sugar sweeteners and free sugars. The SA HNC was the most lenient with non-compliance at 52.9%. This was largely due to the inclusion of nutrients to encourage, which is a criterion for this NPM. CONCLUSION For the purpose of discouraging products high in nutrients associated with poor health in SA, the CAM is a suitable NPM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamryn Frank
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa;
| | - Shu Wen Ng
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health and the Carolina Population Center, The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, United States of America;
| | - Donna R Miles
- Carolina Population Center, The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, United States of America;
| | - Elizabeth C Swart
- Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of the Western Cape, South Africa,
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Pandav C, Smith Taillie L, Miles DR, Hollingsworth BA, Popkin BM. The WHO South-East Asia Region Nutrient Profile Model Is Quite Appropriate for India: An Exploration of 31,516 Food Products. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13082799. [PMID: 34444959 PMCID: PMC8400900 DOI: 10.3390/nu13082799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid rise in prevalence of overweight/obesity, as well as high prevalence of type 2 diabetes and other nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases, has led the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to propose a front-of-package labeling (FOPL) regulation. An effective FOPL system applies a nutrient profile model that identifies foods high in sugar, sodium, and saturated fat that would receive a warning label for consumers to effectively discern between more and less healthy foods. Previous Nutrition Alchemy data collected by the food industry (n = 1306 products) estimated that approximately 96% of foods in India would have at least one warning label based on the FSSAI proposed FOPL. This near universal coverage of warning labels may be inaccurate and misleading. To address this, the current study compared two nutrient profile models, the WHO South-East Asia Region Organization (SEARO) and the Chilean Warning Octagon (CWO) Phase 3, applied to food products available in the Indian market from 2015-2020, collected through Mintel Global New Products Database (n = 10,501 products). Results suggest that 68% of foods and beverages would have at least one ' high-in' level warning label. This study highlights the need to include a more comprehensive sample of food products for assessing the value of warning labels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Pandav
- Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi 110029, India;
| | - Lindsey Smith Taillie
- Department of Nutrition and Carolina Population Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #8120, 123 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA;
| | - Donna R. Miles
- Carolina Population Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #8120, 123 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA; (D.R.M.); (B.A.H.)
| | - Bridget A. Hollingsworth
- Carolina Population Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #8120, 123 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA; (D.R.M.); (B.A.H.)
| | - Barry M. Popkin
- Department of Nutrition and Carolina Population Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #8120, 123 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-919-445-6931
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