Factors associated with excessive food consumption of fried foods in a municipality in the western Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

The dietary pattern of population has influence on the health parameters it presents and the excessive consumption of fats has been shown to be a risk factor for the development of several pathologies. This study aims to evaluate the consumption of fried foods in the municipality of Mâncio Lima, Acre, and its associated factors. 820 people over 18 years old from the urban area of Mâncio Lima were interviewed between January and February 2012. The results showed that the prevalence of fried food consumption up to 4x in the week was 68.7% and that of 5x or more was 31,3%. Excessive consumption of fried foods was associated with age (p <0.001) and with consumption of sweets (p <0.001). Smoking was associated with higher consumption of fried foods (p = 0.02), living in homes without sidewalks, with dirt, grass or brick sidewalks (p = 0.024). The race of the head of household was associated with the consumption of fried foods, the indigenous consumed less (p = 0.019). The excessive consumption of fried foods is above the tolerated limits for healthy life and may be one of the responsible for the high rates of overweight and obesity found in Acre.