Sociodemographic factors associated with the consumption of vegetables, fruits, and ultraprocessed foods in peruvian families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the sociodemographic factors associated with the consumption of vegetables, fruits, and ultra-processed foods in Peruvian families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study based on secondary data analysis. The sample included 2,141 participants from the provinces of Lima, Arequipa, and Sullana. The association of 11 sociodemographic factors of Peruvian families with the consumption of three food groups: vegetables, fruits, and ultra-processed foods (UPFs) was analyzed. For the descriptive analysis, the mean and standard deviation were used, and the Chi-Square test was employed to evaluate the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and the consumption of vegetables, fruits, and UPFs. Results: The non-consumption of vegetables and fruits was related to a low educational level (41.2%; p<0.01), while the higher consumption of UPFs was found in those with a university-level education (62.2%; p<0.05). People with a monthly income <S/930 showed low consumption of vegetables and fruits (13.3%; p<0.01); those with an income >S/11,160 had a high total intake of UPFs (75%; p<0.01). Residents of Sullana had the highest percentage of non-consumption of vegetables and fruits (22.4%; p<0.01), and Lima recorded the highest total consumption of UPFs (68.3%; p<0.01). Additionally, overweight individuals had a high total consumption of UPFs (65.6%; p<0.05). Conclusions: The consumption of vegetables, fruits, and ultra-processed foods was influenced by sociodemographic factors, especially educational level, monthly income, geographic region, and the presence of comorbidities.