A new study found that increased consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with more than 10% of preventable premature deaths from all causes in Brazil in 2019. This is especially alarming. Because Brazilians consume far less of these products than high-income countries. .
Consumption of ultra-processed foods with little or no whole foods in their ingredients was responsible for 57,000 premature deaths in Brazil in 2019, researchers report. American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are gradually replacing traditional foods and diets made from fresh, minimally processed ingredients in many countries. These ready-to-eat and heat-up industrial preparations made with synthetic ingredients are known to be unhealthy. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, A study published by Elsevier found that increased consumption of these foods was associated with more than 10% of premature deaths from all preventable causes in Brazil in 2019. This is despite the fact that Brazilians consume much less of these foods than higher-income countries. .
“Previous modeling studies have estimated the health and economic burden of certain foods and beverages, such as key ingredients such as sodium, sugar, trans fats, and sugar-sweetened beverages,” said principal investigator Eduardo AF Nilson, PhD. explained. Epidemiological Studies in Nutrition and Health, University of Sao Paulo, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil. “To our knowledge, no studies have so far estimated the potential impact of UPF on premature mortality. By modeling how we can support healthy food policies, we can prevent disease and premature death.
Dr. Nilson and his colleagues modeled data from nationally representative dietary surveys to estimate baseline intakes of UPF by gender and age group. Statistical analysis was used to determine the proportion of total deaths attributed to UPF consumption and if UPF intake was reduced by 10%, 20%, and 50% within these age groups using 2019 data We estimated the effect of
Across all age and sex groups, UPF consumption ranged from 13% to 21% of total Brazilian food intake during the study period. In 2019, a total of 541,260 adults aged 30 to 69 died prematurely, 261,061 of them from preventable non-communicable diseases. The model found that about 57,000 deaths that year could be attributed to his UPF consumption. This represents 10.5% of premature deaths among adults aged 30-69 and 21.8% of all deaths from preventable non-communicable diseases. In income countries where UPF accounts for more than half of total caloric intake, such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Australia, the estimated impact is even higher.
Dr. Nilson pointed out that UPF is over time replacing the consumption of traditional whole foods such as rice and beans in Brazil. To reduce UPF consumption and promote healthier food choices, fiscal and regulatory policies, changes in the food environment, increased implementation of food-based dietary guidelines, and improvements in consumer knowledge, attitudes and behavior, etc. , may require multiple interventions and public health measures.
A 10% to 50% reduction in UPF consumption could prevent approximately 5,900 to 29,300 premature deaths in Brazil each year.
Examples of ultra-processed foods include frozen pizza, convenience foods, hot dogs, sausages, prepackaged soups, sodas, ice cream, store-bought cookies, candies, donuts, and cakes.
“UPF intake is associated with many disease outcomes, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, some cancers and other diseases, and is a significant cause of preventable premature death among adults in Brazil.” ,” said Dr. Nilson. “Reducing UPF consumption to just the level he had 10 years ago could reduce he-related premature deaths by 21%. Policies that discourage UPF consumption are urgently needed.”
Having a tool to estimate mortality attributable to the consumption of UPFs will help countries estimate the burden of dietary change associated with industrial processing of food and develop more effective food products to promote a healthier food environment. Helps design policy options.
Examples of UPF include prepackaged soups, sauces, convenience foods, frozen pizzas, sodas, ice creams, hot dogs, sausages, store-bought cookies, candies, cakes, and donuts.
References: “Premature Deaths Attributed to Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods in Brazil,” Eduardo AF Nilson, ScD; Gerson-Ferrari, Ph.D. Dr. Maria Laura C. Ruzada. Renata B. Levy, Ph.D. Carlos A. Monteiro, PhD and Leandro FM Rezende, ScD, 7 November 2022, American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2022.08.013
