Consumption of ultra-processed and deep-fried foods among rural adolescents : a cross-sectional study from Matlab, Bangladesh

• Objective: We aimed to describe ultra-processed and deep-fried food consumption among rural adolescents by gender and socio-economic factors, and to explore their relative importance in shaping consumption.Design: Cross-sectional study based on a household survey. We assessed consumption of four ultra-processed food (UPF) groups: ready-to-eat or “instant” foods; confectionery, sweets and similar packaged products; savory snacks; sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB); and of deep-fried foods with a 24-hour, qualitative recall. Proportion of consumption was calculated and compared between groups. Logistic regression models were fitted to isolate socio-demographic variables associated with consumption.Setting: Matlab, a rural sub-district in Bangladesh.Participants: Analytic sample comprised 2463 adolescents.Results: Approximately 83% (81.5-84.4) adolescents consumed at least one ultra-processed or deep-fried food. Confectioneries were the most consumed (53.5%), whereas SSB the least consumed (12%). Boys had greater odds of consumption than girls for all food groups. The association was strongest for SSB (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.57; 95% CI: 1.97, 3.37), followed by deep-fried foods (aOR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.66, 2.32) and ready-to-eat foods (aOR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.45, 2.38). Belonging to the richest households was associated with ready-to-eat food consumption (aOR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.16). Adolescents with higher educational attainment had lower odds of consuming SSB (aOR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.54, 0.98).Conclusion: Consumption of packaged confectioneries, savory snacks, and deep-fried foods appeared common, whereas SSB consumption was relatively low. Role of gender was pre-eminent as consumption was more likely among boys across the food groups.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Ultra-processed foods

deep-fried foods

rural adolescents

Bangladesh

Medicin

Medicine

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)