The present study aims to analyze the trends in food price in Brazil with emphasis on the period of the Covid-19 pandemic (from March 2020 to March 2022). Data from the Brazilian Household Budget Survey and the National System of Consumer Price Indexes were used as input to create a novel data set containing monthly prices (R$/Kg) for the foods and beverages most consumed in the country between January 2018 and March 2022. All food items were divided according to the Nova food classification system. We estimated the mean price of each food group for each year of study and the entire period. The monthly price of each group was plotted to analyze changes from January 2018 to March 2022. Fractional polynomial models were used to synthesize price changes up to 2025. Results of the present study showed that in Brazil unprocessed or minimally processed foods and processed culinary ingredients were more affordable than processed and ultra-processed foods. However, trend analyses suggested the reversal of the pricing pattern. The anticipated changes in the prices of minimally processed food relative to ultra-processed food, initially forecasted for Brazil, seem to reflect the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the global economy. These results are concerning as the increase in the price of healthy foods aggravates food and nutrition insecurity in Brazil. Additionally, this trend encourages the replacement of traditional meals for the consumption of unhealthy foods, increasing a health risk to the population.

Background: While healthy and sustainable diets benefit human and planetary health, their monetary cost has a direct impact on consumer food choices. This study aimed to identify the cost and environmental impact of the current Brazilian diet (CBD) and compare it with healthy and sustainable diets. Methods: Data from the Brazilian Household Budget Survey 2017/18 and the Footprints of Foods and Culinary Preparations Consumed in Brazil database were used for a modeling study comparing the cost of healthy and sustainable diets (based on the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines (BDG) diet and the EAT-Lancet diet) versus the CBD. The DIETCOST program generated multiple food baskets for each scenario (Montecarlo simulations). Nutritional quality, cost, and environmental impact measures (carbon footprint (CF) and water footprint (WF)) were estimated for all diets and compared by ANOVA. Simple linear regressions used standardized environmental impacts measures to estimate differentials in costs and environmental impacts among diets scenarios. Results: We observed significant differences in costs/1000 kcal. The BDG diet was cheaper (BRL$4.9 (95%IC:4.8;4.9) ≈ USD$1.5) than the CBD (BRL$5.6 (95%IC:5.6;5.7) ≈ USD$1.8) and the EAT-Lancet diet (BRL$6.1 (95%IC:6.0;6.1) ≈ USD$1.9). Ultra-processed foods (UPF) and red meat contributed the most to the CBD cost/1000 kcal, while fruits and vegetables made the lowest contribution to CBD. Red meat, sugary drinks, and UPF were the main contributors to the environmental impacts of the CBD. The environmental impact/1000 kcal of the CBD was nearly double (CF:3.1 kg(95%IC: 3.0;3.1); WF:2,705 L 95%IC:2,671;2,739)) the cost of the BDG diet (CF:1.4 kg (95%IC:1.4;1.4); WF:1,542 L (95%IC:1,524;1,561)) and EAT-Lancet diet (CF:1.1 kg (95%IC:1.0;1.1); WF:1,448 L (95%IC:1,428;1,469)). A one standard deviation increase in standardized CF corresponded to an increase of BRL$0.48 in the cost of the CBD, similar to standardized WF (BRL$0.56). A similar relationship between the environmental impact and the cost of the BDG (CF: BRL$0.20; WF: BRL$0.33) and EAT-Lancet (CF: BRL$0.04; WF: BRL$0.18) was found, but with a less pronounced effect. Conclusions: The BDG diet was cost-effective, while the EAT-Lancet diet was slightly pricier than the CBD. The CBD presented almost double the CF and WF compared to the BDG and EAT-Lancet diets. The lower cost in each diet was associated with lower environmental impact, particularly for the BDG and EAT-Lancet diets. Multisectoral public policies must be applied to guide individuals and societies towards healthier and more sustainable eating patterns.

Background: Screen time, involving activities like watching television (TV), and using tablets, mobile phones, and computers (electronic devices), is associated with the consumption of unhealthy foods. This study aimed to analyze the association between prolonged leisure screen time and healthy and unhealthy food consumption indicators among Brazilian adults (≥18 years). Methods: Data from the National Health Survey (NHS), conducted in 2019 (n = 88,531), were used. Prolonged leisure screen time (screen time ≥ 3 h/day) was analyzed in three dimensions: watching TV; use of electronic devices; and total screen time (TV and electronic devices). Food consumption was analyzed in two dimensions: healthy (in natura and minimally processed foods) and unhealthy (ultra-processed foods). Poisson regression models were used to calculate prevalence ratios (crude and adjusted (PRa)) by sociodemographic factors (sex, age, schooling, income, area of residence, and race/color) and health factors (weight status, self-rated health, and presence of noncommunicable disease), to assess the association between prolonged screen time and food consumption indicators. Results: Among Brazilian adults, the prevalence of prolonged screen time was 21.8% for TV and 22.2% for other electronic devices for leisure. The highest frequency of watching TV for a prolonged time was observed among women, older adults, and those with a lower income and schooling. Prolonged use of electronic devices was more common among young adults and those with intermediate schooling and income. Prolonged screen time was associated with an unhealthy diet, due both to the higher consumption of unhealthy foods (PRa = 1.35 for TV, PRa = 1.21 for electronic devices, and PRa = 1.32 for both types) and the lower consumption of healthy foods (PRa = 0.88 for TV, PRa = 0.86 for electronic devices, and PRa = 0.86 for both). Conclusions: Prolonged screen time was negatively associated with the consumption of healthy foods and favored the consumption of unhealthy foods among Brazilian adults.

Resumo Objetivo: Descrever e comparar os resultados dos principais fatores de risco e proteção para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis, nas 26 capitais brasileiras e no Distrito Federal, obtidos pela Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS) e pelo Sistema de Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico (Vigitel) em 2019. Métodos: Estudo transversal, no qual se calculou a diferença na prevalência entre os indicadores de comportamentos de saúde investigados pela PNS e Vigitel. Resultados: As maiores discrepâncias entre os inquéritos, PNS (n = 32.111) e Vigitel (n = 52.443), foram observadas para prática de atividade física no lazer (6,8 pontos percentuais - p.p.), prática recomendada no deslocamento (7,4 p.p.) e tempo elevado de tela (21,8 p.p.). Foram semelhantes nos dois inquéritos as prevalências do estado nutricional, consumo alimentar, tabagismo, consumo abusivo de álcool e de autoavaliação negativa do estado de saúde. Conclusão: Os inquéritos apresentaram prevalências com pequenas diferenças, mas que apontam resultados na mesma direção.

Purpose: To analyze the temporal trend of leisure screen time among adults in Brazil between 2016 and 2021. Design: Time-series analysis of six cross-sectional surveys. Setting: Data from the Surveillance System for Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (Vigitel) (2016/21). Subjects: A probabilistic sample of 265 252 adults (≥18 years). Measures: Time watching television (TV), or using cell phone, computer, or tablet (CCT) during leisure time, and indicators of prolonged exposure for the total population and sociodemographic groups. Analysis: Prais-Winsten regression models were used to identify trends in the studied period. Results: Mean time watching TV remained stable (2.3 h to 2.2 h/day) as the frequency of adults watching TV ≥ 3 hours/day (25.7% to 25.1%) for 2016/21. There was an increase in mean time spent on CCT (1.7 h to 2.0 h/day; .08 h/day/year; P < .001) and in the frequency of adults spending ≥ 3 hours/day on CCT (19.9% to 25.5%; 1.33 pp/year; P < .001) for 2016/21. The increase in screen time was relevant in all sociodemographic groups. Conclusion: Leisure screen time has increased in Brazil, with greater intensity over time.

Adequate fruit and vegetable consumption is recognized for its health benefits, including preventing noncommunicable diseases, therefore it should be monitored over the years. This study aimed to investigate the temporal trend of fruit and vegetable consumption among Brazilian adults (≥ 18 years) residing in 26 Brazilian capitals and the Federal District from 2008-2023. A time-series analysis of the Surveillance of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (Vigitel) was conducted. Regular (≥ 5 days/week) and recommended (≥ 5 servings/day on ≥ 5 days/week) fruit and vegetable consumption were analyzed for total population and sociodemographic groups. Prais-Winsten regression models were used to identify trends in the entire (2008-2023), initial (2008-2014) and most recent (2015-2023) periods. Regular and recommended consumption remained stable from 2008 to 2023. From 2008 to 2014, regular consumption increased in total population (0.71pp/year) and all sociodemographic groups, except for adults aged 25-34 years. From 2015 to 2023, regular consumption decreased in the total population (-0.56pp/year), mainly among men (-0.70pp/year), adults aged 25-34 years (-0.84pp/year), and with higher schooling (-0.96pp/year). The recommended consumption increased from 2008 to 2014 (0.81pp/year), mainly among women (0.90pp/year), adults aged 55-64 years (0.96pp/year), and those with higher schooling (0.77pp/year). The recommended consumption decreased from 2015 to 2023 in total population (-0.52pp/year) and all sociodemographic groups, except for men and adults aged ≥ 65 years. The Brazilian fruit and vegetable consumption increased from 2008 to 2014 but reduced recently (2015-2023).