Argentina
Fundamentos: Los alimentos ultraprocesados están dominando rápidamente el sistema alimentario mundial.
Comprender los patrones de consumo de estos alimentos constituye una parte importante del sistema de vigilancia nutricional. El objetivo fue evaluar el consumo de alimentos ultraprocesados en Paraguay según área geográfica y su impacto en el perfil dietético nutricional de la población.
Métodos: Se realizó un análisis de una muestra representativa de hogares de la Encuesta de Ingresos y Gastos 2011-12. Los alimentos consumidos se clasificaron en cuatro grupos: no procesados o mínimamente procesados; ingredientes culinarios procesados; procesados; y ultraprocesados. Se estimó la distribución de energía y macronutrientes proveniente de los alimentos dentro del hogar con unidades de consumo del Equivalente Masculino Adulto (AME).
Resultados: Los ultraprocesados representaron 26,5% del consumo total de energía, con diferencias significativas entre el área rural y urbana (p<0,01). El perfil nutricional de los ultraprocesados mostró mayor densidad energética, mayor aporte de carbohidratos y menor de lípidos y proteínas, en comparación con los no procesados y procesados.
Conclusiones: El consumo de ultraprocesados en Paraguay varía desde consumos muy bajos hasta altos, similares a los países desarrollados, y su consumo reduce la participación de alimentos no procesados e ingredientes culinarios.
Background: Ultra-processed foods are rapidly dominating the global food system. Understanding the consumption patterns of these food items thus constitutes an important part of the nutritional surveillance system. The objective was to assess the consumption of ultra-processed foods in Paraguay according to geographical residence (rural/urban) and its impact on the population’s nutritional profile.
Methods: An analysis of representative sample of households from the 2011-12 Income and Expenditure Survey. The consumed food items were classified into four groups: natural or minimally processed, including culinary preparations made with these foods as a base; processed culinary ingredients; processed; and ultraprocessed. Intrahousehold food and calorie distribution were estimated with Adult Male Equivalent (AME) units.
Results: Ultra-processed foods represented 26,5 of total energy intake, with a significant difference between rural and urban areas (p<0,01). Households that showed higher consumption of ultra-processed foods also exhibited lower consumption of vegetables, legumes, meats, fish/seafoods, and dairy products. The nutritional profile of ultra-processed foods consumption showed higher energy density; higher levels of carbohydrates, and lower levels fat and proteins compared to the profile of natural or minimally processed foods and processed foods.
Conclusions: Consumption of ultra-processed foods in Paraguay varies from relatively low to high, similarly to developed countries, and reduces the participation of unprocessed foods and culinary ingredients.