Smoking and consumption of ultra-processed foods - a combination of risky choices: A cross-sectional study using Vigitel 2018 data.

BACKGROUND

Smoking and unhealthy diet are important risk factors for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, contributing to public health crises.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the consumption of natural/minimally processed and ultra-processed foods by Brazilian adults (18-59 years old) according to smoking status.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Cross-sectional study of a representative population sample from 26 state capitals and the Federal District (Brazil-2018).

METHODS

Data were obtained from Vigitel-Surveillance System for Risk and Protection Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey. Participants were categorized as smokers, ex-smokers, and never smokers. Multinomial logistic regression was used for analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 30,800 adults evaluated, 9.4% (95%CI: 8.7-10.2) were smokers and 16.5% (95%CI: 15.8-17.3) were ex-smokers. Smokers were less likely to consume fruit and natural juice, and more likely to consume soda or artificial juice (≥ 5 days/week) than ex-smokers and never smokers. Regarding the daily frequency of consumption, smokers were observed to be less likely to eat fruit more than 1 time/day and more likely to drink ≥ 3 cups/cans of soda/day. Compared to never smokers, smokers had a 42% higher chance of consuming ≥ 3 glasses of natural juice/day. On the day before the interview, fruit, milk, tubers, squash, and okra consumption were lower among smokers than non-smokers. Smokers were more likely to report consuming soft drinks, fruit juice, sauces, ready-made dishes, margarine, and sausages.

CONCLUSION

Smokers had lower fruit consumption, and higher consumption of natural juices and ultra-processed foods. We highlight the need for strategies that encourage healthy eating and smoking cessation.