Dietary Intake of Low-Income Adults in South Africa: Ultra-Processed Food Consumption a Cause for Concern

Citation

Frank, Tamryn; Ng, Shu Wen; Lowery, Caitlin M.; Thow, Anne-Marie; & Swart, Elizabeth C. (Online ahead of print). Dietary Intake of Low-Income Adults in South Africa: Ultra-Processed Food Consumption a Cause for Concern. Public Health Nutrition.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Given the rapidly changing food environment, and proliferation of ultra-processed foods (UPF) in South Africa (SA) this study aimed to critically evaluate dietary quality and adequacy of low-income adults using the Nova classification system and WHO and World Cancer Research Fund dietary guidelines. DESIGN: Secondary household data and 1-day 24-hour recalls were analysed from two cross-sectional studies conducted in 2017-2018. Foods consumed were classified according to the Nova classification system. Compliance with WHO dietary guidelines and UPF consumption trends were evaluated. SETTING: Three low-income areas (Langa, Khayalitsha and Mount Frere) in SA were included. PARTICIPANTS: 2521 participants (18-50 years) were included in the study. RESULTS: Participants had a mean energy intake of 7762kJ/day. Most participants were within the acceptable WHO guideline range for saturated fat (80.4%), total fat (68.1%), sodium (72.7%) and free sugar (57.3%). UPF comprised 39.4% of diets among the average adult participant. Only 7.0% of all participants met the WHO guideline for fruit and vegetables, and 18.8% met the guideline for fibre. Those within the highest quartile of share of energy from UPF consumed statistically higher amounts of dietary components to limit and were the highest energy consumers overall. CONCLUSIONS: Low-income adults living in SA are consuming insufficient protective dietary components while UPF consumption is prevalent. Higher UPF consumers consume larger amounts of nutrients linked to increased chronic disease risk. Policy measures are urgently needed in SA to protect against the proliferation of harmful UPF, and to promote and enable consumption of whole and less UPF.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1368980023002811

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

Online ahead of print

Journal Title

Public Health Nutrition

Author(s)

Frank, Tamryn
Ng, Shu Wen
Lowery, Caitlin M.
Thow, Anne-Marie
Swart, Elizabeth C.

Article Type

Regular

Continent/Country

South Africa

ORCiD

Ng - 0000-0003-0582-110X