Socioeconomic differences in diet composition of the adult population in southern Brazil: a population-based study

Aim

To describe the intake of macro- and micronutrients, verify its adequacy, and analyze their distribution by the socioeconomic and demographic profile of adults.

Subject and methods

Longitudinal population-based study with a sample of 1222 people aged 22–63 years from Florianópolis, Southern Brazil. The dietary intake data were collected with a 24-h recall in the total sample, plus a second recall applied on a sub-sample of participants with subsequent adjustment of regular consumption. Diet composition and adequacy of intake were compared between the different educational groups and stratified by sex.

Results

The mean energy consumption was 1851 Kcal [standard error (SE) = 15.0 Kcal] and 2259 Kcal (SE = 27.8 Kcal) in females and males, respectively (p-value <0.001). With increasing education, women showed an increasing trend in energy consumption, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat, cholesterol, and fiber. In men, the same differences were found only in saturated fat and cholesterol (p-value <0.05 for all). Analyzing the adequate consumption of nutrients, differences were found regarding saturated fat and cholesterol in women and carbohydrates, saturated and polyunsaturated fat in men. The prevalence of inadequacy was up to 47% comparing the different educational groups.

Conclusion

A lower percentage of adequacies in food consumption was found in both sexes for those with more years of schooling. Public policy should also target the group with higher education.