Food intake and prevalence of obesity in Brazil: an ecological analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlation between the consumption of refined carbohydrates and fats and the prevalence of obesity in the state capitals of Brazil.


METHODS
An ecological evaluation of obesity and dietary risk factors was carried out in twenty-six state capitals of Brazil.


METHODS
Analysis was based on the age-standardized prevalence of obesity (BMI >or= 30.0 kg/m2) among adults aged 20-59 years. Both intake and obesity prevalence were obtained from the last National Family Household Budget Survey (HBS). The survey was conducted from July 2002 to June 2003, based on a probabilistic national sample of 48 470 households. In each household, during seven consecutive days, all monetary and non-monetary expenses for food and beverages for family consumption were transformed into energy. The relative contribution of foods and food groups was expressed as the proportion (%) of total energy. Fruits and vegetables were also measured by the quantity bought in grams.


RESULTS
Prevalence of obesity varied from 5.1 % to 13.6 % among women and from 5.2 % to 17.6 % among men. For women, there were statistically significant correlations between obesity and intake of sugar and soft drinks (rS = 0.60; P = 0.001), ready-to-eat meals (rS = 0.39; P = 0.05) and potatoes (rS = 0.40; P = 0.04). For men there were no such associations.


CONCLUSIONS
Increasing intake of refined carbohydrates, mainly soft drinks, may play a role in the prevalence of obesity among women in Brazil. Effecting changes in family purchase patterns may be a strategy to reduce obesity.
Lobato
Jackeline Christiane Pinto
JC
Institute of Public Health, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rua Marechal Bittencourt 57/1003, Riachuelo, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, CEP 20950-200, Brazil. jackie.lobato@gmail.com
Costa
Antonio José Leal
AJ
Sichieri
Rosely
R
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011198:Solanum tuberosum; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D055815:Young Adult
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D019422:Dietary Sucrose