Marcadores de alimentação saudável e não saudável entre adolescentes e fatores associados

Abstract

Introduction: Because of important changes resulting from urbanization and modernization processes, the consumption of processed foods, high in sugar, sodium and fat, has increased among adolescents, while eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables has been decreased, especially among the younger adolescents. Objective: To identify the associated factors with frequency of consumption of healthy and unhealthy eating markers. Methods: A study was conducted with 1716 adolescents aged 10 to 17 years old, of both sexes. The socio-demographic and life style data were obtained by questionnaire administered by an interviewer, being also checked anthropometric measures. Frequency of dietary intake of 3 groups of healthy food (fruits, vegetables and dairy products) and 10 of unhealthy foods (5 high in sugar and 5 high in sodium) was assessed using a qualitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. We used Chi-square test to check the difference between frequency of consumption of healthy and unhealthy foods in relation to socio-demographic factors, life style and body mass index of adolescents. Results: We found that the younger adolescents, whose mothers had higher level of education, physically active, not sedentary, with satisfactory pattern of meal consumption and not overweight, had a higher frequency of consumption of one or more of the healthy foods. Regarding unhealthy foods, we found that the girls, non-white, public school students, classified as sedentary and not overweight had a greater intake of foods with higher sugar and sodium content. Conclusion: The frequency of consumption of unhealthy markers was associated with other health risk behavior such as physical inactivity, sedentary activities and unsatisfactory pattern of meal consumption. Intervention programs promoting adoption of healthier life style habits should be performed in conjunction with governmental actions that do make these changes possible for young people of all social classes.