Socioeconomic inequalities in the consumption of minimally processed and ultra-processed foods in Brazilian adolescents

In this study, we evaluated socioeco-nomic inequalities in the consumption of in natu-ra/minimally processed and ultra-processed foods among adolescents. We used data from the Brazil-ian National Survey of School Health (PeNSE), 2015. According to the self-reported consumption of beans, vegetables and fruits, a score of in na-tura/minimally processed foods was generated (0-21 points). Sodas, sweets, instant noodles, and ultra-processed meat were used for the score of ultra-processed foods (0-21 points). Equality in-dicators were gender, maternal education, and socioeconomic level. Absolute difference, ratios, concentration index and slope index of inequali-ty were calculated. Adolescents (n=101,689, 51% girls, 14.2 years) reported a mean score of 9.97 and 11.46 for ultra-processed foods and in natura/ minimally processed foods, respectively. Absolute and relative differences between adolescents with the highest and lowest socioeconomic level, there were differences of 2.64 points and 33% for con-sumption of in natura/minimally processed foods; and 1.48 points and 15% for ultra-processed foods. Adolescents from higher socioeconomic lev-el ate more in natura/minimally processed foods and ultra-processed foods.