Factors Associated With Regular Consumption of In Natura Foods and Soft Drinks, and Their Influence on Self-Rated Health Among Brazilian Adults

OBJECTIVES: To analyze evolution and determinants of regular consumption (≥5 days per week) of in natura foods (beans, fruits and vegetables) and soft drinks, and their association with self-rated health (SRH; not poor or poor) among Brazilian adults (≥18 years old) during the period 2006–2019. METHODS: Observational cross-sectional study, using 14 editions of nationally representative population-based survey conducted by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, VIGITEL. Individuals living in Brazilian state capitals (n = 684,665) were randomly selected and interviewed using structured questionnaire by telephone. Descriptive analysis and multivariate logistic regression models were estimated to identify factors associated with regular consumption of in natura foods and soft drinks, and poor SRH. RESULTS: There was increasing trends for regular consumption of beans (62.62% [95%CI 58.71–66.37] p = 0.000) and fruits (58.66% [95%CI 56.76–60.54] p = 0.000), whilst consumption of vegetables (49.23% [95%CI 45.41–53.06] p = 0.000) and soft drinks (21.62% [95%CI 18.87–24.64] p = 0. 000) decreased during the period, as well as the proportion of individuals assessing poor SRH (4.69% [95%CI 4.44–4.95] p = 0.053). The regular consumption of in natura foods (beans OR = 0.844; vegetables OR = 0.755; fruits OR = 0.745) represented protective factors, and regular consumption of soft drinks (OR = 1.325) represented risk factor for poor SRH. Demographic and lifestyle factors associated with regular consumption of food varieties differed moderately among Brazilian adults who assess poor SRH, compared with the overall Brazilian adult population. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence suggests that regular consumption of in natura foods and soft drinks have influence on subjective health perceptions, like SRH, and are influenced by modifiable lifestyle factors and sociodemographic factors, which represent potential targets for preventive public policy intervention that can improve the health status of the Brazilian adult population. FUNDING SOURCES: Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq); São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP); Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES).