Consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados de trabalhadores de hospitais universitários federais durante a pandemia da Covid 19

Abstract

Objective: To assess the consumption of ultra-processed foods by employees of federal university hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational and analytical study was carried out with workers from public hospitals in the EBSERH network, aged ≥ 18 years, of both sexes, including health professionals and other categories. In the first stage, data was collected using a structured questionnaire via an online platform that lasted 60 days. The link to the completed questionnaire was sent, as an invitation, via a mailing list to the emails of EBSERH Network workers made available by the company. The second stage consisted of an intervention with four health education workshops via Google Meet meetings. Results: 1143 university hospital health workers took part in the study, 40.42% claimed to have consumed ultra-processed foods the previous day, 44% said they were consuming more ultra-processed foods and fast-foods, 34% had not changed their purchasing habits due to factors that could influence the choice and purchase of these products, and consumption of ultra-processed foods was reduced after the intervention. Conclusion: Hospital workers consume a high amount of ultra-processed foods, which is detrimental to their health. The pandemic has directly influenced the change in eating habits, along with the practicality sought by workers, but the intervention has not been successful.