title: Ultra-processed food consumption in children from a Basic Health Unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the contribution of ultra-processed food (UPF) on the dietary consumption of children treated at a Basic Health Unit and the associated factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study carried out with a convenience sample of 204 children, aged 2-10 years old, in Southern Brazil. Children's food intake was assessed using a 24-h recall questionnaire. Food items were classified as minimally processed, processed for culinary use, and ultra-processed. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied to collect socio-demographic and anthropometric variables. Overweight in children was classified using a Z score >2 for children younger than 5 and Z score >+1 for those aged between 5 and 10 years, using the body mass index for age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overweight frequency was 34% (95% CI: 28-41%). Mean energy consumption was 1672.3 kcal/day, with 47% (95% CI: 45-49%) coming from ultra-processed food. In the multiple linear regression model, maternal education (r=0.23; p=0.001) and child age (r=0.40; p<0.001) were factors associated with a greater percentage of UPF in the diet (r=0.42; p<0.001). Additionally, a statistically significant trend for higher UPF consumption was observed when data were stratified by child age and maternal educational level (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The contribution of UPF is significant in children's diets and age appears to be an important factor for the consumption of such products.
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: karen_sparrenberger@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sparrenberger
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Roberta Roggia
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Friedrich
authors.affiliation: Departament of Nutrition, Nutritional Assessment Laboratory, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariana Dihl
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Schiffner
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Centre of Food and Nutrition Studies (CESAN), Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ilaine
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Schuch
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mário Bernardes
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Wagner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015930:Diet Records; D002149:Energy Intake; D057140:Fast Foods / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Children; Consumo de alimentos; Crianças; Estado nutricional; Fast-food; Fast-foods; Food intake; Nutritional status