Lunch patterns of Brazilian adults and their association with socioeconomic and demographic characteristics: the 2017-2018 Brazilian National Dietary Survey

Lunch is an important meal in Brazil, with varying standards among different population groups. This study aims to determine the lunch dietary patterns of Brazilian adults and verify their association with socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Data from the Brazilian National Dietary Survey were used, comprising 28,901 adults aged 19 to 59 years (excluding pregnant and lactating women). Food consumption was assessed via 24-hour recalls at the interviewee's home. A total of 1,832 food items were recorded, 1,120 of which were mentioned at lunch. Socioeconomic and demographic variables were obtained through a structured questionnaire. Dietary patterns were derived by factor analysis, considering the complexity of the sample. The mean scores and 95% confidence intervals for each dietary pattern were estimated across all levels of socioeconomic and demographic variables. Considering the complexity of the sampling design, all analyses were performed using the statistical package SAS OnDemand for Academics. In total, 3.4% of Brazilian adults reported not having lunch. In total, three patterns explained 30.7% of lunch variability: traditional Brazilian; salads; and protein-based meal with desserts and beverages. Men, individuals with less schooling, those with lower income, and residents of the Central-West and Northeast regions adhered more to the traditional pattern. Fruits did not play an essential role in any pattern. Adherence to dietary patterns varied according to socioeconomic and demographic factors.