Dietary sources of energy, saturated fat, trans fat, and added sugars in Brazilian adolescents

Aim To identify the foods that most contributed to energy, and the sources and contribution of solid fats and added sugars (SoFAS) to total energy consumption. Methods Data were analyzed from 71,791 adolescents participating in the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), a country-wide, school-based cross-sectional study that evaluated 12 to17-year-old adolescents. Food intake was assessed through a single 24-h recall. The population mean energy intake, caloric participation of saturated fat, trans fatty acid, added sugar, and the contribution of each food group to total energy intake and SoFAS calories were calculated. The analyses were stratified by gender, age group (12–14 years and 15–17 years) and type of school (public or private), considering the expansion factors and the effect of the sample design. Results SoFAS contributed about 30% of the total energy intake of Brazilian adolescents, with higher consumption among girls and students aged 12–14 years old in private schools when compared to public schools in the same age group. Concerning the consumption of SoFAS, the main contributors were soft drinks (13.4%), juices (12.9%), and sweets and desserts (12.0%). There was no significant variation in this configuration by gender, age, and school type, with emphasis on the consumption of sweetened beverages, which together accounted for about 35% of total SoFAS calories. Conclusion The consumption of SoFAS was higher, with sweetened beverages and ultra-processed foods as main sources. The characterization of adolescents’ food intake is important to tailoring and targeting diet quality promotion actions.