Maternal and child characteristics correlated with frequency of consuming ultra-processed food by children aged 6 to 24 months old

Abstract

Objectives: to verify the correlation between the consumption of ultra-processed food among mothers and children under two years of age and the main characteristics related to this consumption. Methods: cross-sectional study conducted in public health services. Three 24-hour recalls were applied to assess food intake. The ultra-processed food was grouped into: sugary drinks; meat; sauces and creams; dairy products; snacks; pastas; and mucilage. Themother’s body mass index and waist/hip ratio, and the child’s weight/height, height/age, weight/age and body mass index/age were calculated. The children’s ultra-process frequency as correlated with: anthropometric dyadic variables; ultra-process frequency on breastfeeding. The children’s average ultra-process intake was compared to pacifier, bottle, breastfeeding and socioeconomic status. Linear regression models were conducted. Results: 172 pairs were evaluated. Similarity was found in the mothers and children’s consumption of ultra-processed products. The higher frequency of ultra-processed products was correlated with older child and the higher body mass/age index and weight/age index. Of the 39 ultra-processed food present in the mothers’ diet, 22 were correlated to child’s Conclusion: the consumption of ultra-processed food by children is similar to their mothers and correlates with higher z-score values of weight/age and body mass/age index.