Trends in food consumption by adults in a Brazilian northeastern state

The economic and political crisis experienced by Brazil, together with the COVID-19 pandemic, may have negatively impacted the food consumption of Brazilian families over recent years. This study aimed to analyze trends in food consumption among adults in a Brazilian northeastern state.

This was an epidemiological study which involved the analysis of data from the Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (SISVAN) relating to the food consumption of adults (20-59 years-of-age) in the state of Ceará in 2015 and 2020. Data are presented by frequency distribution.

In the year 2015-2020, the food consumption of 14,840 adults were registered in SISVAN. There was evidence of a decline in the habit of having three main meals a day (-63.5%), mainly among women (-67.9%). Between 2015 and 2020, there was a decline in the consumption of beans (-7.4%) and an increase in the consumption of fruits (68.2%) and vegetables (82.9%). When considering ultra-processed foods, there was a significant increase in the consumption of hamburgers and sausages (83.3%), cookies (39.1%) and sweetened beverages (25.5%).

Our findings indicate that the habit of having three main meals a day decreased between 2015 and 2020 in the adult population of Ceará, as determined by public data available in SISVAN, especially among women. In addition, there was an increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods. Therefore, health interventions aimed at nutritional education and the fight against hunger are essential to face these challenges that affect society.