Alimentos ultraprocessados e inadequação nutricional da dieta de mulheres na lactação: uma análise transversal

Abstract

The dietary pattern of the Brazilian population has undergone substantial changes, characterized by a decrease in the consumption of natural or minimally processed foods and an increase in ultra-processed foods (UPF), which are associated with poor diet quality and a higher risk of chronic diseases. Therefore, it is important to monitor their consumption and its implications during lactation. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between UPF consumption and the nutritional profile of the diet of 155 lactating women treated in primary health care in Natal-RN. The study was written as a scientific article and is a cross-sectional analysis, evaluating sociodemographic, anthropometric and food consumption data. The latter was evaluated according to the Nova Classification. The nutritional profile of the diet was determined by adequacy of energy, macronutrients and fiber and compared among women grouped by tertiles of caloric contribution of UPF. UPF consumption was the second largest food category (23.3% of total energy). Women with a higher intake of UPF in their diet had higher intakes of energy, carbohydrates, lipids and lower intakes of proteins, with energy consumption 194.8% above the recommended level. Most of the lactating women in this group were primiparous, had a lower average age, low education level, per capita income ≤1 minimum wage and were overweight/obese. The results indicate a relationship between a higher intake of UPF in the diet and nutritional inadequacies during lactation, and it is important to discourage the consumption of these foods as a strategy to prevent high-calorie, low-nutritional-quality diets.