Trends in food consumption by adults in a Brazilian northeastern state

Abstract

Objective: The economic and political crisis experienced by Brazil, together with the COVID-19 pandemic, may have negatively impacted the food consumption of Brazilian families over recent years. This study aimed to analyze trends in food consumption among adults in a Brazilian northeastern state. Methods: This was an epidemiological study which involved the analysis of data from the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (SISVAN) relating to the food consumption of adults (20e59 years-of-age) in the state of Ceara´ in 2015 and 2020. Data are presented by frequency distribution. Results: In the year 2015e2020, the food consumption of 14,840 adults were registered in SISVAN. There was evidence of a decline in the habit of having three main meals a day ( 63.5%), mainly among women ( 67.9%). Between 2015 and 2020, there was a decline in the consumption of beans ( 7.4%) and an increase in the consumption of fruits (68.2%) and vegetables (82.9%). When considering ultraprocessed foods, there was a significant increase in the consumption of hamburgers and sausages (83.3%), cookies (39.1%) and sweetened beverages (25.5%). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the habit of having three main meals a day decreased between 2015 and 2020 in the adult population of Ceara´ , as determined by public data available in SISVAN, especially among women. In addition, there was an increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods. Therefore, health interventions aimed at nutritional education and the fight against hunger are essential to face these challenges that affect society.