https://doi.org/10.37527/2021.71.S1
1Universidade Do Estado Do Rio De Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Background and objective. In 2009, a food classification that considers the extent and purpose of its industrial processing was proposed, called NOVA classification system. The healthy eating paradigm, proposed by the NOVA, has fostered extensive scientific production worldwide since its publication. Latin American countries have stood out in their use in nutritional recommendations and the regulatory agenda. In this sense, the objective of this study was to review how scientific production in food and nutrition has incorporated the NOVA classification in Latin America.
Methods. A scientometric review was performed. The search for the studies was made in the annals of the Latin American Congress of Nutrition (SLAN) of the years 2012, 2015 and 2018, using the terms (in English, Portuguese, and Spanish). NOVA, ultra-processed, processed, processing, food guide, dietary guidelines. After the search, the analysis of the titles and abstracts of the SLAN annals was performed, excluding those that were not in agreement with the theme of the study and those that did not make clear in the title and/or summary that the NOVA classification was used. The selected abstracts were described according to analytical variables.
Results. Of the studies found (435), 153 were analyzed. Of these, 24 were published in 2012, 20 in 2015 and 109 in 2018. Most studies were developed in Brazil (56,2%) and Mexico (12,4%) and classified in the thematic area of Public Health Nutrition (88,9%). The main objects of study were food sales and/or food consumption (46,4%), food environment (24,2%), public policies (12,4%) and association with obesity/health outcomes (9,8%), with an observational approach (82,3%) and using the quantitative method for data analysis (76,5%).
Conclusion. Scientific production that considers the NOVA classification in Latin America increased significantly in 2018. Brazil and Mexico led the development of the studies. Studies that further explore the price of food, adopt the qualitative method and intervention studies are important gaps and research opportunities.
Keywords: food processing, Latin America. NOVA classification.