CHANGES IN FOOD-CONSUMPTION IN BRAZIL

Changes in eating habits have occurred in the last decades in several countries associated to demographic, economic, social and epidemiologi c factors. In Brazil, the available data about food consumption are th e result of Family Budget Surveys undertaken by Getulio Vargas Foundat ion and IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) in 1961 /1963 and 1987/88, respectively, and the National Study of Family Expe nditure (ENDEF), carried ouy by IBGE during 1974/75. Thy reveal as pri ncipal tendencies the decreasing consumption of staple foodstuffs (bea ns, rice, manioc flour), pork meat, lard and butter, the replacement o f bovine meat for chicken, and the increase in the consumption of eggs , milk products and vegetable oils. Based on these surveys, the intake of macronutrients in urban areas showed a decrease of carbohydrate an d an increase of fat contribution as sources of calories, an increase in the consumption of animal protein in detriment of vegetable protein , and substitution of animal fats for vegetable fats. It was also obse rved an increase in the use of industrialized foodstuffs, directly rel ated to income, leading to a greater diversity of foodstuffs and lower consumption of staple foods. Recent studies with adult and elderly po pulation from the city of Sao Paulo show a reduction in the consumptio n of fatty and fried foods and sugar, and an increase in the consumpti on of fruits and vegetables because of health concern. Studies that ta ke into account the verified changes in eating habits and the new cons umption tendencies, as well as their impact on nutritional and health conditions of the Brazilian urban population, are presently needed.