Evolution of out-of-home food consumption in Brazil in 2008–2009 and 2017–2018

OBJECTIVE: To describe the evolution of out-of-home food consumption in Brazil in 2008–2018. METHODS: We used the 2008–2009 and 2017–2018 data from the Inquéritos Nacionais de Alimentação (INA - National Food Surveys), conducted amid 34,003 and 46,164 individuals, to estimate the frequency of out-of-home food consumption and the contribution of this consumption to specific foods. Food consumption was analyzed using food records in the 2008–2009 INA and 24-hour recalls in 2017–2018. Estimates were generated for Brazil in general, for urban and rural areas, for age groups (adolescent, adult, elderly), and for income bracket. RESULTS: The frequency of out-of-home consumption decreased by 8.8% between the two surveys, with no change in the rural area, in the Northeast and South regions, and for the lowest income brackets. We observed a slight increase among the elderly and in the Midwest region. The contribution of out-of-home food consumption to daily energy intake also decreased (16.3% vs. 12.7%), excepting the rural area, where there was a reduction in the difference in relation to the urban area between the two surveys. For most items evaluated, the out-of-home food consumption decreased. The most consumed out-of-home food were alcoholic beverages, fried and baked snacks, soft drinks, pizza, sweets, and sandwiches in both surveys. CONCLUSION: In 10 years, the prevalence of food consumption and the percentage of contribution of out-of-home food decreased in Brazil, but ultra-processed foods still figure as the most consumed food group outside the home.