Socioeconomic status, screen time, and time spent at school, and children's food consumption

Cien Saude Colet. 2023 Jan;28(1):257-267. doi: 10.1590/1413-81232023281.05772022. Epub 2022 Jul 21.
[Article in Portuguese, English]

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the association of sociodemographic factors and lifestyle with the consumption of in natura or minimally processed (INMP) foods, ultra-processed foods (UPFs), and fruits and vegetables. This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 403 children, aged 4 to 7 years, from a retrospective cohort. Sociodemographic and lifestyle variables were investigated using a sociodemographic questionnaire. Food consumption was assessed by three food records. Bivariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to analyze associations. Children with lower income had a higher consumption of INMP foods and a lower consumption of UPFs. A shorter time spent at school was associated with a lower consumption of INMP foods and a higher consumption of UPFs. Children with more screen time and less educated parents consumed less fruits and vegetables. Unfavorable sociodemographic factors were associated with a better profile of food consumption according to the level of processing, except for fruits and vegetables. The longer time spent at school and a shorter screen time contributed to a healthier diet.

Este estudo objetivou avaliar a associação de fatores sociodemográficos e estilo de vida com consumo de alimentos in natura ou minimamente processados (INMP), ultraprocessados (AUP) e frutas e hortaliças. Trata-se de estudo transversal com 403 crianças de 4 a 7 anos de uma coorte retrospectiva. Variáveis sociodemográficas e estilo de vida foram investigadas através do questionário sociodemográfico. O consumo alimentar foi avaliado por três registros alimentares. Empregaram-se análises de regressão linear bivariadas e multivariadas para analisar as associações. Crianças com menor renda apresentaram maior consumo de alimentos INMP e menor consumo de AUP. Menor tempo de permanência na escola associou-se ao menor consumo de alimentos INMP e maior consumo de AUP. Crianças com maior tempo de tela e com pais de menor escolaridade, consumiram menos frutas e hortaliças. Fatores sociodemográficos desfavoráveis se associaram ao melhor perfil de consumo de alimentos segundo o nível de processamento, exceto para frutas e hortaliças. O maior tempo de permanência na escola e menor tempo de tela contribuíram para uma alimentação mais saudável.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diet
  • Fast Foods
  • Feeding Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Schools
  • Screen Time*
  • Social Class
  • Vegetables