Associations between biological and behavioral factors in early life and food consumption in Brazilian adolescents: Results from the ERICA study

PLoS One. 2022 Mar 2;17(3):e0264714. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264714. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine associations between biological and behavioral factors in early life and food consumption in Brazilian adolescents. The sample was composed of 36,956 adolescents (12-17 years of age) who participated in the "Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents". Sociodemographic, biological, and behavioral variables were collected using questionnaires self-administered by the adolescents. Early-life factors were assessed using a questionnaire administered to the parents/guardians of the adolescents. Dependent variables related to food consumption (total energy intake and percentages of macronutrient intake [carbohydrates, lipids and proteins]) were measured using the 24-hour recall method and compared to dietary reference intakes. Data analysis was performed with the aid of STATA 14.0, using multiple linear regression analysis with respective β coefficients. The level of significance was set at 5% (p ≤ 0.05). Adolescents born with low weight had lower energy intake (-94.8 kcal, 95%CI: -177.2; -12.3, p = 0.024) and 1.25% higher carbohydrate intake (95%CI: 0.15; 2.34, p = 0.025) compared to those born with adequate weight. Those who received exclusive breast breastfeeding for three to six months ingested 1.32% more lipids than those who received exclusive breast breastfeeding for less than three months (95%CI: 0.37; 2.26, p = 0.006). In conclusion, low birth weight was associated with lower energy intake and a higher percentage of carbohydrate intake, whereas breastfeeding three to six months was associated with a higher percentage of lipid intake.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Brazil
  • Carbohydrates
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diet
  • Energy Intake*
  • Feeding Behavior*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lipids

Substances

  • Carbohydrates
  • Lipids

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Brazilian fostering agencies Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos (FINEP [Study and Project Funding Agency]) (grant number: 01090421) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq [National Council of Scientific and Technological Research]) (grant numbers: 565037/2010-2, 405.009/2012-7). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.