Eating behavior of Brazilian adults according to workforce position

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate eating habits of the adult population in Brazil according to workforce status. Methods: Cross-sectional study with data from 63,782 adults (18-59 years old) participating in the National Health Interview Survey, PNS 2019. Workforce status - employed, unemployed or not part of the workforce - was related to markers of healthy and unhealthy food intake. Adjusted odds ratios were estimated with multinomial logistic regression. Results: Of Brazilian adults, 71.3% were employed, 6.7% were unemployed and 21.9% were outside the workforce. Employed adults showed a higher frequency of fruit, vegetable and red meat intake, and a lower frequency of beans consumption. The consumption of chicken, fruit drinks, cereals, eggs, margarine and ready-made/semi-ready meals was more frequent among the unemployed versus the employed, while fish and root vegetables were less frequently consumed. Adults outside the workforce, compared to the employed, showed a lower frequency of consumption of soft drinks, sausages, packaged bread, oilseeds, as well as the habit of replacing lunch for snacks. Conclusion: Discrepancies in diet were observed according to working condition, especially in the consumption of vegetables, fruits, meat, and beans, denoting the need for initiatives to promote adequate and healthy eating habits to improve workers’ health.