Consumption of ultra-processed products in pregnant women and its relationship with proximity to food outlets

Abstract

Pregnancy is a period of high vulnerability, and adequate nutrition is important, particularly in the third trimester of pregnancy. Some contextual factors, such as proximity to different food outlets, could influence consumption choices. This study aimed to analyze the consumption of ultra-processed products (UPP) in women in the third trimester of pregnancy, and how it relates to residential proximity to retail (large-scale) and traditional (small-medium-scale) food outlets, in the period 2022-2023, in the city of Córdoba. 

A descriptive observational study was conducted in 235 pregnant women residing in Córdoba. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and dietary data were collected. Coordinates of residences and food outlets were recorded using Google Maps. Subsequently, 500 m buffers were constructed around each dwelling to analyze the proximity to food outlets. To explore the association between UPP consumption and proximity to retail/traditional food establishments, multiple logistic regression models were constructed with UPP consumption (yes/no) as the response variable including age, socioeconomic level, pre-pregnancy BMI, and presence/absence of children as regressors. QGIS 3.28 and Stata 17 software were used for the analyses described.

21.59% of the daily calories consumed came from UPP, 56.60% of the pregnant women had at least one traditional food outlet within 500 m of their home and 52.34% had at least one retail outlet. There was a significant association (OR=1.78; p=0.04) between the presence of at least one retail outlet and UPP consumption. Overweight and obesity predominated in the sample with 27.99%.

In conclusion, the results show that the food environment influences consumption practices. The results show a significant relationship with proximity to retail establishments, but not with traditional ones.

Keywords:  PREGNANCY, ultra processed food, nutritional status