Data
Year of publication
2020
Type
Quantitative
Design
Cross-sectional
Classification
NOVA
Country studied
Brazil
Data
Primary
Data Collected
Food samples
Study setting
Online
Age group of participant
N/A
Participant sex
N/A
Target population
N/A
Sample size
n=100 (locations), n=1645 (products), n=95 (foods)
Baby food methodology in Brazil: An evaluation of the commercial food processing profile for children aged 0 to 36 months
Goal
Evaluate the processing profile of commercial foods intended for children aged 0 to 36 months and to compare the characteristics of the label and nutritional profile according to the type of processing.
Results
100 different supermarkets, mini markets, pharmacies and bakeries were consulted, and 1645 products with 95 different foods were inserted. The most foods were breastmilk substitutes (31.6%, n = 30), followed by cereal foods (26.3%, n = 25) and meat or chicken meals (15. 8%, n = 15). Regarding processing, 79% (n = 75) were classified as ultra-processed foods and most of which were breast milk substitutes and cereals, intended for children under 12 months, with visual information on the label, fortified with vitamins and minerals and they had not claims of health. Regarding the nutritional profile, the ultra-processed foods had 472.9 Kcal / 100 g, which had 8.8% from protein, 60.1% from carbohydrates and 31.1% from fat, and presented higher energy content, fats, carbohydrates, protein and sodium than other types of processing (p<0.05). There was a predominance of ultra-processed baby foods in the market with a higher energy density, fat, carbohydrate and sodium profile, which may affect the quality of the diet in childhood.
Authors
Rocha KF.
Journal
Dissertation (Master in Nutrition) - Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal
DOI