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OBJECTIVES: Assessing food intake of pregnant women is extremely important, because maternal dietary patterns can influence fetal development as well as have either positive or negative effects on both the mother and fetus. Thus, the aim of the present study was to carry out a systematic review of the literature on food frequency questionnaires developed and validated for pregnant women, in order to assess their methodological quality and validation process. METHODS: A systematic review of studies focused on validating food frequency questionnaires for pregnant women was carried out in the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, LILACS, and OpenGrey databases. The selected studies were assessed based on their correlation coefficient in validation and reproducibility analyses, whereas their methodological quality was assessed based on the scoring system proposed by the EURopean micronutrient RECommendations Aligned Network of Excellence. RESULTS: In total, 10 965 articles were identified in these databases; among them, 14 studies, with sample sizes ranging from 46 to 221 participants, and with participants (pregnant women) at a mean age of 28.68 ± 4.34 y, were selected. Most of the included studies used the 24-h food recall as the method for developing the food list (n = 6), with composition ranging from 46 to 255 items. With respect to the methodological assessment of the selected articles, half of the assessed tools were classified as having excellent methodological quality; their validation and reproducibility correlation coefficients were classified as moderate and high (r ≥ 0.40). CONCLUSIONS: Food frequency questionnaires developed for pregnant women appear to be reliable tools to assess food intake by this group. Overall, they had good methodological quality and adequate correlation coefficients compared with reference methods.

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The present study identified dietary patterns (DP) and analyse their association with household composition. This is a cross-sectional school-based study, with a nationally representative sample of Brazilian adolescent students, aged 11-19 years, with data from National School Health Survey (n 102 072). Food consumption was obtained through the weekly frequency of consumption of food markers, and the confirmatory factor analysis was applied to examine the latent variables 'Healthy' (beans, legumes/vegetables and fresh fruit/fruit salad) and 'Unhealthy' (ultra-processed foods, sweets, soft drinks and snacks) DP. The association between household composition and DP was estimated considering lives with both parents as reference category. Among adolescents aged 11-14 years, adherence to healthy DP was lower for boys who lived only with mother (ß = -2·1), and boys (ß = -4·9) and girls (ß = -4·5) who lived without any parents. Adherence to unhealthy DP was higher among boys (ß = 7·6) and girls (ß = 6·0) who lived only with mother, and boys (ß = 4·6) and girls (ß = 5·3) who lived only with father. For older adolescents (aged 15-19 years), adherence to the unhealthy DP was higher among boys who lived only with mother (ß = 3·9) or only with father (ß = 5·3) and girls who lived only with mother (ß = 6·3). Adherence to healthy DP was lower among girls who lived only with father (ß = -9·0). Thus, adolescents who lived in single-parent households had lower adherence to healthy DP and greater adherence to unhealthy DP. Among younger adolescents of both sexes, living without any parent contributed to lower adherence to healthy DP.

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The social origins of obesity are now recognised: a problem that is initially biological is today a public health problem with a social origin. This paper raises the question of whether the official statistical sources used to understand changes in diet are able to detect this shift in analysis. After reviewing the social factors that explain obesity, we examine the official Spanish statistics that can inform about dietary changes: the ENS National Health Survey, the EPF Family Budget Survey, and the EET Time Use Survey, all carried out by the Spanish Statistical Office. All of them include socio-demographic variables and some locational variables. However, the lack of health variables in the economic survey and the lack of social variables in the health survey prevent the gathering of reliable scientific evidence to offer solid support in stopping the obesity epidemic. Food has become particularly important as one of the main areas where unhealthy decisions and choices involve high risk; the situation also demonstrates the relationship between social inequality and obesity. Obesity is now understood in a radically different way and the origin of the problem lies in social and cultural factors. The current surveys do not provide the resources to capture the social causality of obesity, but slight modifications would help expand their capabilities and offer reliable scientific evidence to stop the obesity epidemic.

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Abstract The aim of the study was to assess the evolution of food acquisition for away from home consumption in Brazil from 2002 to 2018. The trend of food purchases for out-of-home consumption in Brazil was evaluated by comparing food purchase data from the Household Budget Surveys (HBS) of 2002-2003, 2008-2009, and 2017-2018. The frequency of food acquisition was estimated according to sociodemographic variables and the mean cost. In 2002-2003, the frequency of purchase of food for out-of-home consumption was 35.2% (95%CI: 34.4-35.9), increasing to 41.2% (95%CI: 40.4-42.0) in 2008-2009, followed by a decline in 2017-2018 (32.3%; 95%CI: 31.7-32.9). A declining trend was observed in the frequency of purchases of alcoholic beverages and soft drinks and fast foods maintained the frequency between the last two surveys. Spending on this type of food increased between 2002-2003 and 2008-2009, while the mean value of this type of expenditure was maintained between 2008-2009 and 2017-2018. Brazilians increased food purchases for out-of-home consumption between 2002-2003 and 2008-2009, declining in 2017-2018. A consistent fall in the purchase of alcoholic beverages and soft drinks was observed over time, while the group of meals grew significantly.

Resumo O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a evolução da aquisição de alimentos para consumo fora de casa no Brasil de 2002 a 2018. A tendência de compra de alimentos para consumo fora de casa no Brasil foi avaliada pela comparação de dados de compra de alimentos das Pesquisas de Orçamentos Familiares (POF) de 2002-2003, 2008-2009 e 2017-2018. A frequência de aquisição de alimentos foi estimada de acordo com variáveis sociodemográficas e o custo médio. Em 2002-2003, a frequência de compra de alimentos para consumo fora do domicílio foi de 35,2% (IC95%: 34,4-35,9), aumentando para 41,2% (IC95%: 40,4-42,0) em 2008-2009, seguido por um declínio em 2017-2018 (32,3%; IC95%: 31,7-32,9). Foi observada tendência de queda na frequência de compras de bebidas alcoólicas e refrigerantes, enquanto fast food manteve a frequência entre as duas últimas pesquisas. Os gastos com esse tipo de alimentação aumentaram entre 2002-2003 e 2008-2009, enquanto o valor médio desse tipo de gasto se manteve entre 2008-2009 e 2017-2018. Os brasileiros aumentaram as compras de alimentos para consumo fora de casa entre 2002-2003 e 2008-2009, diminuindo em 2017-2018. Uma queda consistente na compra de bebidas alcoólicas e refrigerantes foi observada ao longo do tempo, enquanto o grupo das refeições apresentou aumento significativo.

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High blood pressure (HBP) is the main modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. HBP can be related to high salt intake. To measure intake, not all feeding surveys are comparable and valid. The reference procedure for assessing salt intake consists of measuring the urinary excretion of sodium in urine collected during 24hours, although alternative methods have been proposed, such as the collection of punctual and timed urine samples. In this review, we analyze which instruments allow the assessment of salt intake and which of them have provided greater validity and reliability through studies of concordance with the elimination of sodium in urine. Current food consumption surveys are inadequate because of their wide variability and relatively low correlation with the elimination of sodium in 24-hour urine. Its main limitation is the need for validation in different population groups. In primary care, salt intake should be assessed by using frequency-of-consumption questionnaires that collect foods with a high salt content, the consumption of preprepared dishes and questions that quantify the addition of salt in the preparation of food or at the table. For the validation of these questionnaires, the standard gold elimination of 24-hour urine sodium adjusted according to creatinine clearance should be used.

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PURPOSE: Observational studies link high whole grain intakes to reduced risk of many chronic diseases. This study quantified whole grain intakes in the Irish adult population and examined the major contributing sources. It also investigated potential dietary strategies to improve whole grain intakes. METHODS: Whole grain intakes were calculated in a nationally representative sample of 1500 Irish adults using data from the most recent national food survey, the National Adult Nutrition Survey (NANS). Food consumption was assessed, at brand level where possible, using a 4-day semi-weighed food diary with whole grain content estimated from labels on a dry matter basis. RESULTS: Mean daily whole grain intakes were 27.8 ± 29.4 g/day, with only 19% of the population meeting the quantity-specific recommendation of 48 g per day. Wheat was the highest contributor to whole grain intake at 66%, followed by oats at 26%. High whole grain intakes were associated with higher dietary intakes of fibre, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and a higher alternative Mediterranean Diet Score. Whole grain foods were most frequently eaten at breakfast time. Regression analysis revealed that consumption of an additional 10 g of whole grain containing 'ready-to-eat breakfast cereals', 'rice or pastas', or 'breads' each day would increase intake of whole grains by an extra 5, 3.5, and 2.7 g, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals low intakes of whole grains in Irish adults. Recommending cereals, breads, and grains with higher whole grain content as part of public health campaigns could improve whole grain intakes.

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In the absence of routinely collected household food insecurity data, this study investigated what could be determined about the nature and prevalence of household food insecurity in Scotland from secondary data. Secondary analysis of the Living Costs and Food Survey (2007⁻2012) was conducted to calculate weekly food expenditure and its ratio to equivalised income for households below average income (HBAI) and above average income (non-HBAI). Diet Quality Index (DQI) scores were calculated for this survey and the Scottish Health Survey (SHeS, 2008 and 2012). Secondary data provided a partial picture of food insecurity prevalence in Scotland, and a limited picture of differences in diet quality. In 2012, HBAI spent significantly less in absolute terms per week on food and non-alcoholic drinks (£53.85) compared to non-HBAI (£86.73), but proportionately more of their income (29% and 15% respectively). Poorer households were less likely to achieve recommended fruit and vegetable intakes than were more affluent households. The mean DQI score (SHeS data) of HBAI fell between 2008 and 2012, and was significantly lower than the mean score for non-HBAI in 2012. Secondary data are insufficient to generate the robust and comprehensive picture needed to monitor the incidence and prevalence of food insecurity in Scotland.

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