Nutritional adequacy of commercial food products targeted at 0-36-month-old children: a study in Brazil and Portugal.

In the context of the global childhood obesity, it is essential to monitor the nutrition value of commercial foods. A cross-sectional study (November 2018 to April 2019) aimed to evaluate the nutritional adequacy of processed/ultra-processed food products targeted at 0-36-month-old children in Portugal and in Brazil. The nutrient profiling model developed by the Pan American Health Organization was used. A total of food 171 products were assessed (123 in Portugal and forty eight in Brazil). From the fifteen available meat- or fish-based meals in Brazil, 60 % exceeded the amount of Na and 100 % exceeded the target for total fat. Given the lack of specification of sugars within carbohydrates in the label of the foods in Brazil, it was not possible to calculate free sugars. In Portugal, from the seventeen fruit and vegetable purees and the six juice/smoothie/tea/drinks available, 82 % and 67 %, respectively, surpassed the level of free sugar, while total and saturated fat was excessive in all yogurt and yogurt-related products (n 21), 40 % of biscuit/wafer/crisps (two out of five) and 13 % meat- or fish-based meals (two out of sixteen). These findings demonstrate the relevance of improving the nutritional profile of some food products targeted to young children.

Street Food and Takeaway Food Purchasing Patterns in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This study aimed to describe street food and takeaway food purchasing patterns in Sarajevo and Banja Luka, throughout the day and by city location. A cross-sectional evaluation of street food and takeaway food customers was conducted in 2017. All eligible vending sites (n = 348) in the vicinity of selected markets and bus stops were included. Data on the food items purchased, and time and geographic location of the purchases were collected. A total of 755 customers purchased 929 food items. Takeaway venues showed higher customer influx (5.0 vs. 2.0 customers observed per 10 min of observation, p < 0.001) and buying rates (6.7 vs. 2.0 items bought per 10 min of observation, p < 0.001; 1.5 vs. 1.0 items bought per customer, p < 0.001) than street food sites. These rates were higher in city peripheries for street food venues, and in city centres for takeaway establishments. The purchase of industrial food products prevailed throughout the day in street food venues, whereas most takeaway purchases comprised homemade foods, with or without industrial beverages. The proportion of customers buying foods and beverages together was higher in takeaway venues (15.3% vs. 6.0%, p < 0.001), especially during lunchtime and in city centres. In street food vending sites, sweet and savoury snacks seemed to be preferred in the afternoon, whereas in takeaway food establishments, savoury pastries and main dishes were mostly purchased at breakfast or lunch, and bread during the morning. Soft drinks and industrial juices were frequently purchased in both types of vending site and at all hours of the day, particularly in the afternoon. Our findings provide an overview of street food and takeaway food buying habits and consumer demands in these cities, reflecting local food culture and dietary behaviours. The identification of the meal contexts and city sub-regions in which specific purchasing practices emerge point to potential priority targets. These insights can be useful when designing interventions adapted to the specificities of these food environments and the food habits of customers.

Nutritional Content of Street Food and Takeaway Food Purchased in Urban Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Street food (SF) and takeaway food (TAF) are important sources of out-of-home meals in urban Bosnia and Herzegovina, where diet-related non-communicable diseases are growing rapidly. This study aimed to characterise SF and TAF purchased in urban areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina, regarding customers' characteristics and the nutritional composition of the foods and beverages. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Sarajevo and Banja Luka in 2017. SF (n = 194) and TAF vending sites (n = 154) were selected through random and systematic sampling. Data on the food items purchased and customers' characteristics were collected by direct observation. Nutritional composition was estimated using data from chemical analyses of the foods most commonly available. Two-thirds of the customers observed (n = 755) were aged ≥35 years, half were women and 27.7% were overweight/obese. A total of 929 food items were purchased. The most commonly bought SFs were confectionery (30.5%), water (27.9%) and soft drinks/juices (22.2%). TAF customers purchased mostly savoury pastries (39.8%), breads (27.1%) and main dishes (21.4%). Almost half of customers purchased industrial food (i.e., pre-packaged foods and beverages produced by the food industry). The purchases presented median contents of 18.7 g of fat (39.6% saturated, 32.3% monounsaturated, 22.1% polyunsaturated, 1.5% trans), 838 mg of sodium and 285 mg of potassium. Saturated-fat contribution was higher in SF purchases (60.4% vs. 30.2%, p < 0.001), whereas TAF purchases presented higher trans-fat proportion (1.8% vs. 0.6%, p < 0.001), sodium (1241 vs. 89 mg, p < 0.001) and sodium-potassium ratio (6.1 vs. 0.6, p < 0.001). Generally, SF and TAF bought in Sarajevo and Banja Luka were rich in saturated and trans fatty-acids and sodium, and poor in potassium. Nutrition policies promoting use of healthier fats and salt reduction in SF and TAF may contribute to the prevention of diet-related diseases in these settings.

Street food in Eastern Europe: a perspective from an urban environment in Moldova.

Street food is popular in Eastern Europe, but its diversity and nutritional value are unknown. This study aimed to characterise the street food environment in Chisinau, Moldova, including the vending sites and vendors, food availability and nutritional composition of foods and beverages. All street food vending sites (single point of sale) located in a 1-km buffer centred on the main public market were systematically selected (n 439; n 328 participants). Data on vending sites' characteristics (mobility, type of physical set-up and access to electricity), operating periods and food availability were collected. Samples of the most commonly available foods of unknown composition were collected (twenty-eight home-made and twenty-four industrial). Macronutrients, Na and K were quantified through chemical analysis. Fruits, beverages and food other than fruits were available in 2·5, 74·3 and 80·8 % of the vending sites, respectively. Among the latter, 66·4 % sold only industrial foods (e.g. pretzels, biscuits, wafers, chocolate and ice cream), 21·5 % only home-made (e.g. savoury and sweet pastries) and 12·1 % both. Home-made foods presented larger serving sizes and energy/serving (median kJ/serving: 1312·5 v. 670·3, P = 0·022); industrial foods were more energy-dense (median kJ/100 g: 1797·0 v. 1269·8, P = 0·002). High SFA, trans-fat and Na contents were found, reaching 10·9 g/serving, 1·4 g/serving and 773·7 mg/serving, respectively. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages were available in 80·7 and 42·0 % of the vending sites selling beverages, respectively. Concluding, industrial snacks and home-made pastries high in Na and unhealthy fat were frequent in Chisinau. Prevention of diet-related diseases in Moldova may benefit from the improvement of the nutritional profile of street food.