The association among the consumption of ultra-processed food and body image, nutritional status and physical activity of pregnant women at the primary health care

Abstract Objectives: to analyze the consumption of ultra-processed food and its association with body image, physical activity, nutritional status and self-assessment on food of pregnant women enrolled in the Primary Health Care. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study carried out with pregnant women enrolled in the Family Health Strategy in the city of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais. Data were collected through a questionnaire. The dependent variable was the consumption of ultra-processed food, and the independent ones addressed body appearance, physical activity, nutritional status, self-assessment on food and food consumption. Descriptive analysis was carried out and for association of analysis, the linear regression model was used with crude and adjusted associations. Results: 1,185 pregnant women participated in the study. Caloric intake from ultra-processed food represented 32.0% of these women’s daily diet. There was an association between consumption of ultra-processed food and physical activity (β=-0.08; p<0.01), pre-gestional nutritional status (β=-0,12; p<0.01) and body image (β =0.08; p=0.01). Conclusion: the pregnant women presented high consumption of ultra-processed food. Having a negative body image, the lowest level of physical activity, and high pre-gestational nutritional status are conditions that influenced the consumption of these food.