Nutritional profile and food consumption of the riverside community assisted by the Humanitarian Assistance Program Doutores das Águas

TL;DR

A study in riverside communities found high rates of obesity and poor nutrition due to reliance on processed foods and declining traditional diets.

Contribution

This study reveals a dual burden of obesity and micronutrient deficiencies in riverside communities linked to dietary shifts and food insecurity.

Findings

59.6% of participants were overweight or obese despite no significant BMI-related differences in calorie intake.

Micronutrient deficiencies (vitamins A, C, D, iron, zinc) and critically low fiber intake (10.9 g/day) were widespread.

High consumption of ultra-processed foods (89.2% sweets/sodas, 58.4% processed meats) correlates with declining traditional diets.

Abstract

To analyze the nutritional profile and its correlation with food consumption patterns among riverside communities in Roraima and Amazonas states.

A cross-sectional study (April 2019) was performed, including 160 adults from 120 families across 12 communities. Data collection combined 24-h dietary recalls, food frequency questionnaires, and anthropometric measurements. The Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance was applied using IBM SPSS V.28 software. Nutrient intake was analyzed and compared to Dietary Reference Intakes using AVANUTRI software.

The sample (60.6 % female, mean age 40.9 years) showed a 59.6 % prevalence of overweight/obesity. Diets were high in oils (1.7 L/person/month) and sugar (2.78 kg/person/month), exceeding recommendations by 30–33 %, while fiber intake was critically low (10.9 g/day). Micronutrient deficiencies (vitamins A, C, D, iron, zinc) were widespread. Despite high consumption of ultra-processed foods, caloric and macronutrient intake did not differ significantly by BMI (p > 0.05).

Riverside communities face a dual burden of obesity and micronutrient deficiencies, driven by declining traditional diets and increasing ultra-processed food dependence. Culturally adapted interventions are urgently needed to enhance dietary diversity, reduce consumption of processed foods, and bolster local food security.

•High obesity/overweight (59.6 %) with micronutrient deficiencies and food insecurity.•Caloric excess and critical nutrient shortfalls fracture the local food system.•Critically low fiber intake (10.9 g/d) amid traditional foods decline.•High ultra-processed food consumption: 89.2 % sweets/sodas, 58.4 % meats.•Higher obesity in women (23.2 %) than men (17.5 %) reflects gendered roles.

High obesity/overweight (59.6 %) with micronutrient deficiencies and food insecurity.

Caloric excess and critical nutrient shortfalls fracture the local food system.

Critically low fiber intake (10.9 g/d) amid traditional foods decline.

High ultra-processed food consumption: 89.2 % sweets/sodas, 58.4 % meats.

Higher obesity in women (23.2 %) than men (17.5 %) reflects gendered roles.