Fig. 3

Meal and Snack Assessment (MESA) Quality Scale (scale 100,10). Level 1: Healthy (score < 95), the meal pattern is based on MPF consumption; there is a greater probability of consuming MPF at breakfast and afternoon snack time and not consuming UPF at other daily meals. Level 2: Mixed (95 ≤ score ≤ 101), the meal pattern is based on MPF and UPF consumption; there is a greater probability of consuming MPF at breakfast and afternoon snack time and of consuming UPF at breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, and evening snack time. Individuals with medium scores have both healthy and unhealthy eating practices. Level 3: Unhealthy (score > 101), the meal pattern is based on UPF consumption; there is a greater probability of consuming UPF and not consuming MPF at all daily meals. Abbreviations: MPF = unprocessed/minimally processed foods; PF = processed foods; UPF = ultra-processed foods