Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

to describe the food intake among individuals with high blood pressure and diabetes in a municipality in the south of Brazil.

METHODS:

a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Nova Boa Vista-RS, Brazil, from June to September 2013; food intake was collected from the questionnaire of the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (SISVAN) and from an adaptation based on the 2008 Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population.

RESULTS:

422 individuals were included in the study (≥18 years old); the food that presented the highest recommended intake frequencies were raw salad (60.7%), fruits (73.0%), dairy products (61.4%), fried food (57.3%), snacks (66.4%) and soft drinks (76.3%); processed meat and sweets presented the highest non-recommended intake frequencies, with 34.8 and 23.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

food intake among the population studied seems to be in accordance to the recommended frequencies, especially among women.

Keywords:
Food consumption; Hypertension; Diabetes Mellitus; Chronic Diseases; Epidemiology, Descriptive

Introduction

Population ageing is a global phenomenon which, along with sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition and overweight, constitutes the main factors that contribute to the increase of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM).¹1. Lima-Costa MF, Matos DL, Camargos VP, Macinko J. Tendências em dez anos das condições de saúde de idosos brasileiros: evidências da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios (1998, 2003, 2008). Cienc Saude Colet. 2011 set;16(9):3689-96.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported an increase in chronic diseases as a worldwide epidemics.²2. World Health Organization. World Health Statistics 2012. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2008. From 2008 to 2012, prevalences of HT and DM varied in different countries, reaching, on average, 40% and 7% of the population, respectively. For the following decades, increase estimates of these diseases are exponential. In 2025, there may be 1.5 million people living with HT, and, between 2010 and 2030, there may be a 69% growth in the number of adults with DM in developing countries.²2. World Health Organization. World Health Statistics 2012. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2008.

3. Shaw JE, Sicree RA, Zimmet PZ. Global estimates of the prevalence of diabetes for 2010 and 2030. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2010 Jan;87(1):4-14.

4. Joffres M, Falaschetti E, Gillespie C, Robitaille C, Loustalot F, Poulter N, et al. Hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control in national surveys from England, the USA and Canada, and correlation with stroke and ischaemic heart disease mortality: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2013 Aug;3(8):e003423.^-55. Garin N, Koyanagi A, Chatterji S, Tyrovolas S, Olaya B, Leonardi M, et al. Global multimorbidity patterns: a cross-sectional, population-based, multi-country study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2016 Feb;71(2):205-14.

In Brazil, prevalences of self-reported HT and DM grew from 43.9% to 53.3% and from 10.3% to 16.1%, respectively, from 2003 to 2008. The South region of the country presented prevalence of approximately 30% for HT and 8% for DM, in 2005.¹1. Lima-Costa MF, Matos DL, Camargos VP, Macinko J. Tendências em dez anos das condições de saúde de idosos brasileiros: evidências da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios (1998, 2003, 2008). Cienc Saude Colet. 2011 set;16(9):3689-96.

2. World Health Organization. World Health Statistics 2012. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2008.

3. Shaw JE, Sicree RA, Zimmet PZ. Global estimates of the prevalence of diabetes for 2010 and 2030. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2010 Jan;87(1):4-14.

4. Joffres M, Falaschetti E, Gillespie C, Robitaille C, Loustalot F, Poulter N, et al. Hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control in national surveys from England, the USA and Canada, and correlation with stroke and ischaemic heart disease mortality: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2013 Aug;3(8):e003423.

5. Garin N, Koyanagi A, Chatterji S, Tyrovolas S, Olaya B, Leonardi M, et al. Global multimorbidity patterns: a cross-sectional, population-based, multi-country study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2016 Feb;71(2):205-14.

6. Barros MBA, Francisco PMSB, Zanchetta LM, César CLG. Tendências das desigualdades sociais e demográficas na prevalência de doenças crônicas no Brasil, PNAD: 2003-2008. Cienc Saude Coletiva. 2011 set;16(9):3755-68.^-77. Longo GZ, Neves J, Castro TG, Pedroso MRO, Matos IB. Prevalência e distribuição dos fatores de risco para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis entre adultos da cidade de Lages (SC), sul do Brasil, 2007. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2011 dez;14(4):698-708.

Prevention and control of NCDs and their risk factors are essential to avoid the epidemic growth of these diseases and their serious consequences to the individuals’ quality of life. Among these modifiable factors, good eating habits is one of the essential elements to control non-communicable diseases, since they are frequently caused by unhealthy lifestyles.⁹9. Ozcariz SG, O Cde Bernardo, Cembranel F, Peres MA, González-Chica DA. Dietary practices among individuals with diabetes and hypertension are similar to those of healthy people: a population-based study. BMC Public Health. 2015 May. 15:479.

Data from WHO show that around 80% of DM and HT cases could be avoided with the adoption of dietary habits, such as regular intake of fruit and vegetables, and low intake of saturated fat, sodium and sugary drinks.¹⁰10. World Health Organization. Preventing chronic diseases a vital investment. Geneva: World Health Organization ; 2005. Nevertheless, a study conducted in Florianópolis, in 2009, showed that individuals with hypertension and diabetes presented high intake of fried foods and soft drinks, and low daily intake of fruits, in addition to insufficient intake of vegetables, excessive intake of high-fat meat and addition of salt to ready-to-eat foods.⁹9. Ozcariz SG, O Cde Bernardo, Cembranel F, Peres MA, González-Chica DA. Dietary practices among individuals with diabetes and hypertension are similar to those of healthy people: a population-based study. BMC Public Health. 2015 May. 15:479. Also in 2009, in a study also conducted in the south of Brazil, Ozcariz et al. observed inadequate intake of healthy and unhealthy foods among individuals with hypertension and diabetes. In both sexes, the frequency of daily intake of fruits did not exceed 20%, whilst regular intake of fried foods and soft drinks varied from 40 to 60%, being higher among men.

These results have also been noticed in high income countries.⁹9. Ozcariz SG, O Cde Bernardo, Cembranel F, Peres MA, González-Chica DA. Dietary practices among individuals with diabetes and hypertension are similar to those of healthy people: a population-based study. BMC Public Health. 2015 May. 15:479. A study conducted in South Korea, by Kang et al., suggests that the intake of fried foods is associated to the growth of HT prevalence in women.¹¹11. Kang Y, Kim J. Association between fried food consumption and hypertension in Korean adults. Br J Nutr. 2016 Jan;115(1):87-94. Another study, conducted in the United States, based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2003 to 2006, showed that only 26% of the participants - among individuals with DM and HT history -, ate five or more servings of fruit and vegetables during the week.¹²12. Morton S, Saydah S, Cleary SD. Consistency with the dietary approaches to stop hypertension diet among adults with diabetes. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2012 Nov;112(11):1798-805.

Considering nutrition as one of the factors that encompasses the control and prevention of hypertension - HT - and diabetes mellitus - DM -, this study aimed to describe the food intake the among individuals with hypertension and diabetes in a municipality in the south of Brazil having as reference the recommendations by the 2008 Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population.

Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Nova Boa Vista-RS, Brazil, from June to September, 2013. This is a micro-sized municipality, located in the Northeast of Rio Grande do Sul State, with a population estimated in 1,969 inhabitants and population density of 10.8 inhab./km² in 2010.¹³13. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Pesquisa de orçamento familiares 2008-2009: análise do consumo alimentar pessoal no Brasil. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística; 2011. The municipality has a Family Health Team (FHT) inserted in Modality I, in accordance to the Primary Health Care of Rio Grande do Sul State. This team is composed of one doctor, one nurse, two nursing assistants and five health community agents (HCA), in addition to two Oral Health professionals: a dental surgeon and an oral health technician.²¹21. Atenção Básica (RS). Atenção Básica do RS [Internet]. Porto Alegre: [citado 2017 mar 14]. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://atencaobasica.saude.rs.gov.br
http://atencaobasica.saude.rs.gov.br...

The individuals considered eligible to the study were people with hypertension and diabetes, aged 18 or over, not bedridden, whose food intake in the week prior to the interview was not modified due to acute medical conditions, and were residents of the rural or urban area of the municipality. The participants were selected from registrations at the Primary Health Care Information System (SIAB) until 2012.

To evaluate the outcome of ‘frequency of food intake’, the questionnaire of food markers proposed by the System of Food and Nutrition Surveillance (SISVAN) was used.¹⁴14. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Departamento de Atenção Básica. Protocolos do Sistema de Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional - SISVAN - na assistência à saúde. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2008. (Série B. Textos Básicos de Saúde). This instrument, composed of ten questions, evaluates the frequency of healthy and unhealthy food intake in the last seven days. Considered as ‘healthy foods’ are: raw salad (lettuce, tomato, carrot, cucumber, cabbage); cooked vegetables (kale, pumpkin, chayote, broccoli, spinach - not considering potato and cassava); fresh fruits or fruit salad; milk or yogurt (recommended intake: 7x/week); and beans (recommended intake: ≥5 times/week). Considered as ‘unhealthy foods’ are (recommended intake: up to once a week): French fries, crisps and fried salty snacks (coxinha, kibe, pastel); saltine cracker or packaged salty snacks; sweet or packaged cookies, sweets, candies and chocolate (bars or bonbons); and soft drinks (not considering diet or light).¹⁵15. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Departamento de Atenção Básica. Guia alimentar para a população brasileira: promovendo a alimentação saudável. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde ; 2006. (Série A. Normas e manuais técnicos)

The following sociodemographic and health characteristics were investigated:

The data collection was made in the participants’ households by two previously trained health community agents (HCA). For the interview, the HCA should be fluent in German, which is widely used in that municipality, in order make communication, acceptability and logistics of the research easier.

The collected data were double-typed in the EpiData 3.1 program, and the statistical analyses were made using Stata 12.1 program. First, the frequency of food intake in the previous week was calculated; afterwards, prevalences of the recommended frequency of intake were obtained, as well as its 95% confidence interval (95%CI). The chi-squared test of heterogeneity was used to evaluate the possible differences among the exposition categories. For all analyses, a 5% significance level was considered.

The quality control was performed by the study’s supervisor with a second visit to 10% of the respondents’ households, which were randomly selected. For this, a shorter questionnaire was applied in order to evaluate the consistency of answers.

The study project was approved by the Ethics Research Committee of the School of Medicine of the Federal University of Pelotas, in accordance to Report No. 290.353. The signing of a Free Informed Term of Consent was requested from the respondents prior to the interview. In all steps of the study, it was guaranteed the compliance with the requirements of the Resolution of the National Health Council (CNS) No. 466, dated December 12th, 2012, which regulates the development of researches involving human beings.

Results

According to SIAB’s data, in 2012, Nova Boa Vista-RS had registrations from 441 individuals with hypertension and/or diabetes, aged 18 or over. From these, 422 (95.7%) participated in the research. Nineteen people did not participate because of the following reasons: one, due to death; fifteen were not found in their households, after several attempts; and three refused to participate in the study. The quality control was performed with 42 individuals (10% of the respondents). From the question ‘What is your birth date?’, a kappa value for an agreement of 0.88 was obtained. It was considered satisfactory.

The majority of the studied population was composed of women (60.4%), individuals with white skin color (98.1%), elderly individuals (64.7%) and individuals suffering only from HT (85.1%) (Table 1). Approximately 70% of the respondents reported having received recommendation on diet from someone, and the doctor was the most cited person (36.7%).

Regarding the frequency of intake of the healthy diet markers in the week prior to the interview, more than 60% of the studied population reported having eaten raw salad, fruits and dairy products daily. By analyzing the frequency of intake according to the type of morbidity present, we observed that the daily intake of raw salad and fruits was higher among individuals who only had DM, whilst the daily frequency of dairy products intake was higher among those with HT. Among the foods considered healthy, the group of to cooked vegetables was the one with the lowest daily intake, corresponding to 17.5% (Table 2).

Half of the individuals interviewed ate unhealthy foods - such as fried foods, salty snacks or soft drinks - within the limits recommended by the 2008 Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian population, that is, up to once a week. However, processed meats and sweets surpassed the proposed recommendations, reaching 70.8 and 61.9%, respectively, for intake more than once a week. The frequency of recommended weekly intake of fried foods and salty snacks was higher among individuals who had, simultaneously, HT and DM, whilst the frequency of intake of soft drinks up to once a week was higher among individuals with only DM. It is important to highlight that the recommended frequency of intake of sweets was higher in both categories which included individuals with diabetes (Table 3).

Table 4 shows the prevalences and the 95%CI of recommended weekly intake of food considered healthy. The prevalence of raw salad intake was 1.1 times higher among individuals that consider their health excellent or good, in comparison to those who consider their health regular or bad (p=0.032). Regarding the length of time with HT, individuals with a diagnosis of less than ten years showed a prevalence of recommended weekly intake of raw salad 25% higher than those with a diagnosis of ten years or over (p=0.007).

The prevalence of recommended weekly intake of fruit was 19% higher among women (p=0.004) and 47% higher in people who live in the rural area (p<0.001). Regarding family income, a lower prevalence of recommended weekly intake among individuals of a lower income group was observed (p<0.001). In addition, participants of the study who reported having already received recommendation on nutrition had a prevalence of recommended intake of fruit 0.8 times higher in comparison to those who had not received this recommendation (p=0.019) (Table 4).

Prevalences and 95%CI of recommended weekly intake of foods considered unhealthy are presented in Table 5. The prevalence of the recommended weekly intake of fried foods was 26% higher among women (p=0.010). Moreover, women showed a prevalence of recommended weekly intake of processed meats 2.2 times higher in comparison to men (p<0.001). Soft drinks intake followed the same trend, showing a prevalence of recommended intake 13% higher in females (p=0.027). However, regarding salty snacks intake, men had a prevalence of adequate intake of 72.5%, surpassing women (p=0.032).

The prevalence of recommended weekly intake of salty snacks was 12.8% higher in people who reported living without a partner (p=0.011) and 1.2 times higher in residents of the urban area (p=0.045). Besides salty snacks, the prevalence of recommended intake of fried foods and sweets was also different regarding the area of residence, being higher among residents of the urban area (p=0.008 and p=0.009, respectively). Regarding family income, the prevalence of recommended weekly intake of processed meats stands out. It is higher among individuals with income up to three minimum wages, in comparison to the categories of higher income (p=0.002) (Table 5).

Finally, regarding the presence of morbidities, results show that individuals with only HT had lower prevalence of recommended intake of sweets when compared with the other categories (p=0.041) (Table 5).

Discussion

From all the results obtained, two must be highlighted. First, both regarding the set of healthy and unhealthy foods, the prevalence of recommended food intake was higher in women than in men. Second: when the prevalence of recommended food intake among people with DM and/or HT is compared, groups that had DM as morbidity showed higher prevalence of recommended food intake. These results are relevant for Public Health, as they identify, in the studied population, in which groups, diet and nutrition actions must be reinforced.¹⁰10. World Health Organization. Preventing chronic diseases a vital investment. Geneva: World Health Organization ; 2005.^,1616. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Censos e estimativas, 2010. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística ; 2010. [citado 2014 abr 24]. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica/populacao/censo2010/resultados_dou/RS2010.pdf
https://www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica... ^,1717. Olmos RD, Benseñor IM. Dietas e hipertensão arterial: intersalt e estudo DASH. Rev Bras Hipertens. 2001 abr-jun;8(2):221-4.

For the majority of the food items investigated, prevalence of recommended intake superior to 50% was observed, showing that, usually, the studied population follows the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population. This finding can possibly be explained by the region’s population scale, small sized and essentially rural, with wide access to products in natura and more limited access to industrialized products and fast food.

The prevalence of processed meat and sweets surpassed the maximum intake recommendations, since 70.8% and 61.9% of individuals, respectively, mentioned eating this kind of food more than once a week. This high frequency intake of processed meats and sweets can be explained by the municipality’s cultural aspects, such as the German ancestry and its culture, in which the presence of both food groups is very common. Other studies show similar results, such as inadequacy of food intake among individuals with hypertension and diabetes, mainly, because of a diet rich in fat and sugars.¹⁸18. Lima LA, Nedel FB, Olinto MTA, Baldisserotto J. Hábitos alimentares de hipertensos e diabéticos atendidos em um serviço de Atenção Primária à Saúde do Sul do Brasil. Rev Nutr. 2015 mar-abr;28(2):197-206.

19. Heitor SFD, Rodrigues LR, Tavares DMS. Prevalência da adequação à alimentação saudável de idosos residentes em zona rural. Texto Contexto - Enferm. 2013 jan-mar;22(1):79-88.

20. Oliveira EP, Camargo KF, Castanho GKF, Nicola M, Portero-McLellan KC, Burini RC. A variedade da dieta é fator protetor para a pressão arterial sistólica elevada. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2012 abr;98(4):338-43.^-2121. Atenção Básica (RS). Atenção Básica do RS [Internet]. Porto Alegre: [citado 2017 mar 14]. Disponível em: Disponível em: http://atencaobasica.saude.rs.gov.br
http://atencaobasica.saude.rs.gov.br...

The high percentage of individuals (more than 60%) who had eaten raw salad, fruits and dairy products daily reflects the community’s global scenario, which is endowed with an abundant offer of horticultural, and orchard products, as well as milk and dairy products, since its production is very common in the region. These characteristics can be observed in other studies, also because the rural area offers conditions for a more frequent intake of this kind of food, in addition to highlighting the role of fiber and dairy products in HT and DM control diets, which has already been described in literature.¹⁹19. Heitor SFD, Rodrigues LR, Tavares DMS. Prevalência da adequação à alimentação saudável de idosos residentes em zona rural. Texto Contexto - Enferm. 2013 jan-mar;22(1):79-88.

The study also showed that women presented higher frequency of recommended food intake for fruits, fried foods, processed meats and soft drinks, in comparison to men. This finding is similar to evidences from another study,²²22. Malta DC, Silva SA, Oliveira PPV, Iser BPM, Bernal RTI, Sardinha LMV, et al. Resultados do monitoramento dos fatores de risco e proteção para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis nas capitais brasileiras por inquérito telefônico, 2008. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2012 jul-set;15(3):639-50. which presents women as being more careful with what they eat, by choosing a diet poor in fat and sugar and rich in fiber.²³23. Batista MCR, Priore SE, Rosado LEFPL, Tinôco ALA, Franceschini SCC. Avaliação dietética dos pacientes detectados com hiperglicemia na ‘Campanha de Detecção de Casos Suspeitos de Diabetes’ no município de Viçosa, MG. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2006 dez;50(6):1041-9.

24. Cotta RMM, Reis RS, Batista KCS, Dias G, Alfenas RCG, Castro FAF. Hábitos e práticas alimentares de hipertensos e diabéticos: repensando o cuidado a partir da atenção primária. Rev Nutr. 2009 nov-dez;22(6):823-35.

25. Costa MFFL, Peixoto SV, César CC, Malta DC, Moura EC. Comportamentos em saúde entre idosos hipertensos, Brasil, 2006. Rev Saude Publica. 2009 nov;43 supl 2:18-26.

26. Monteiro CA, Moura EC, Jaime PC, Lucca A, Florindo AA, Figueiredo ICR, et al. Monitoramento de fatores de risco para doenças crônicas por entrevistas telefônicas. Rev Saude Publica. 2005 jan;39(1):47-57.

27. Cotta RMM, Batista KCS, Reis RS, Souza GA, Dias G, Castro FAF, et al. Perfil sociossanitário e estilo de vida de hipertensos e/ou diabéticos, usuários do Programa de Saúde da Família no município de Teixeiras, MG. Cienc Saude Coletiva. 2009 jul-ago;14(4):1251-60.

28. Ministério da Saúde (BR). Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Departamento de Atenção Básica. Guia alimentar para a população brasileira. 2 ed. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde ; 2014.^-1616. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Censos e estimativas, 2010. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística ; 2010. [citado 2014 abr 24]. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica/populacao/censo2010/resultados_dou/RS2010.pdf
https://www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica...

The results of this study show that the prevalence of recommended daily intake of sweets among individuals with hypertension was higher than the other groups. A research conducted by Cotta et al. in Minas Gerais State, in 2005, showed that 66.9% of the evaluated individuals with hypertension and 100% of those with diabetes reported avoiding some type of food with the objective of improving their health.²⁴24. Cotta RMM, Reis RS, Batista KCS, Dias G, Alfenas RCG, Castro FAF. Hábitos e práticas alimentares de hipertensos e diabéticos: repensando o cuidado a partir da atenção primária. Rev Nutr. 2009 nov-dez;22(6):823-35.

The prevalence of fruit intake was 47% higher for individuals who live in the rural area (p<0,001). The majority of the studied municipality’s population lives in the rural area and keeps their own gardens and orchards, having a broad availability of these foods at a lower cost, which can explain their higher intake.¹1. Lima-Costa MF, Matos DL, Camargos VP, Macinko J. Tendências em dez anos das condições de saúde de idosos brasileiros: evidências da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios (1998, 2003, 2008). Cienc Saude Colet. 2011 set;16(9):3689-96.^,2525. Costa MFFL, Peixoto SV, César CC, Malta DC, Moura EC. Comportamentos em saúde entre idosos hipertensos, Brasil, 2006. Rev Saude Publica. 2009 nov;43 supl 2:18-26.

Another result related to the area of residence showed that inhabitants of the urban area had higher prevalence of unhealthy food intake. Studies conducted in the Southeast region of the country, in 2005 and 2010,¹⁶16. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Censos e estimativas, 2010. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística ; 2010. [citado 2014 abr 24]. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica/populacao/censo2010/resultados_dou/RS2010.pdf
https://www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica... ^,2626. Monteiro CA, Moura EC, Jaime PC, Lucca A, Florindo AA, Figueiredo ICR, et al. Monitoramento de fatores de risco para doenças crônicas por entrevistas telefônicas. Rev Saude Publica. 2005 jan;39(1):47-57. showed that, in general, living in urban areas is a factor that contributes to inadequate nutrition, rich in fats, processed and ultra-processed products.¹⁶16. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Censos e estimativas, 2010. Rio de Janeiro: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística ; 2010. [citado 2014 abr 24]. Disponível em: Disponível em: https://www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica/populacao/censo2010/resultados_dou/RS2010.pdf
https://www.ibge.gov.br/home/estatistica... ^,2626. Monteiro CA, Moura EC, Jaime PC, Lucca A, Florindo AA, Figueiredo ICR, et al. Monitoramento de fatores de risco para doenças crônicas por entrevistas telefônicas. Rev Saude Publica. 2005 jan;39(1):47-57.

The economic level also seems to be related with this population’s food intake. The group with the lowest income showed the lowest prevalence of recommended food intake of fruits, whilst the group of medium income, higher prevalence of intake of processed meat. The aforementioned results suggest that, despite income being related to food intake, it is not possible to determine a higher or lower recommended intake of healthy or unhealthy foods in this population, according to their economic status. Notwithstanding, some studies suggest that the choice of a healthy diet is associated to family income, with individuals of higher income having a more balanced diet.²⁶26. Monteiro CA, Moura EC, Jaime PC, Lucca A, Florindo AA, Figueiredo ICR, et al. Monitoramento de fatores de risco para doenças crônicas por entrevistas telefônicas. Rev Saude Publica. 2005 jan;39(1):47-57.^,2727. Cotta RMM, Batista KCS, Reis RS, Souza GA, Dias G, Castro FAF, et al. Perfil sociossanitário e estilo de vida de hipertensos e/ou diabéticos, usuários do Programa de Saúde da Família no município de Teixeiras, MG. Cienc Saude Coletiva. 2009 jul-ago;14(4):1251-60.

Individuals with excellent or good self-perception of health showed higher prevalence of recommended intake of raw salad. This result differs from what Costa et al. observed in a study on data from the National Household Sample Survey (PNAD), in its 1998, 2003 and 2008 editions. PNAD showed that elderly people with worse perception of their own health had adequate intake of fibers.¹1. Lima-Costa MF, Matos DL, Camargos VP, Macinko J. Tendências em dez anos das condições de saúde de idosos brasileiros: evidências da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios (1998, 2003, 2008). Cienc Saude Colet. 2011 set;16(9):3689-96. Questions regarding how each individual perceives their health are hard to be interpreted.

From all the food items analyzed, only the prevalence of recommended intake of fruits had significant difference to the variable ‘food recommendation’. The doctors were the most cited professionals. Even when confirming that most part of the population knows the importance of foods for health, the change in eating habits, frequently, builds up resistance. In general, elderly people, which correspond to 64.7% of the studied population, have very solid cultural roots and are difficult to change opinions. This factor makes individuals not always follow such recommendations, even if they receive some type of nutritional guidance, due to habits, beliefs and/or economic factors.²⁷27. Cotta RMM, Batista KCS, Reis RS, Souza GA, Dias G, Castro FAF, et al. Perfil sociossanitário e estilo de vida de hipertensos e/ou diabéticos, usuários do Programa de Saúde da Família no município de Teixeiras, MG. Cienc Saude Coletiva. 2009 jul-ago;14(4):1251-60.

As study limitations, it is important to highlight that the results found do not reflect the eating habits of the studied population, since the instrument used for the collection of information only represents the food intake during seven days before the interview. The season must also be taken into consideration, since it was a period in which the supply of healthy foods, such as fruits, for example, is higher than in other months of the year.

Regarding possible biases, since it is a community with very close inter-relations and high esteem among individuals, the fact that the data collection was made by the health community agents themselves may have influenced the answers and, eventually, generated information bias. Because of logistical and budgetary constraints, this was the way found to make the study feasible.

The 2008 Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian population, partially reproduced above, was used as reference to evaluate the adequacy of intake frequency of each food group. The aforementioned guideline was chosen for its quantitative character, which allowed more adequate measure of the outcomes described previously. The latest version of these guidelines, from 2014, was written with distinctive language and a proposal that encompasses broader dietary concepts; therefore, it is not suitable to measure quantitative outcomes. Furthermore, during data collection, the recent release of the 2014 guidelines was one of the reasons for which the present study chose to use the previous version, from 2008.

The Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian population’s new version, published in 2014, has brought a completely innovative approach by covering all aspects of how a healthy diet should be. This new version complements the one used in this study, as it provides the reader with new perspectives of a healthy diet that is not only restricted to quantities or portions recommended to be consumed throughout the day for each food group.

Given the constant social and economic inequalities present in Brazil, the 2014 Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian population is an instrument of total relevance, both for the population and for health managers, concerning the improvement of the Brazilian population quality of life.

To understand food intake aspects of individuals who have diseases with high demand for services from primary health care units, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, it is important to support actions capable of providing improvements to users and to the public health care system. Therefore, we recommend other studies to be conducted with the goal of verifying not only the intake frequency, but also the eating habits of people with the evaluated morbidities.

References

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