Fatores associados ao consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados por adolescentes da zona rural do município de Pelotas, RS

Abstract

The inversion in eating patterns observed in recent years, especially in the younger age group, in addition to a more sedentary lifestyle, are some of the factors responsible for the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents. However, the literature is still scarce when it comes to rural adolescents. Thus, this study aimed to assess the consumption of ultra-processed foods among adolescents in the rural area of Pelotas, RS and to identify its associated factors. A cross-sectional, school-based census type study was carried out with students enrolled from the 6th to the 9th grade of elementary school in the 21 municipal schools in the rural area of Pelotas, RS. A 24-hour food record was used to assess food consumption, with ultra-processed foods classified according to the NOVA classification. The independent variables evaluated were sex, age, skin color, education of parents / guardians, overweight, physical inactivity at leisure, the main meals were accompanied by parents / guardians and meals were performed in front of television, cell phones or computer. All data regarding students and their parents / guardians were collected through a self-applied questionnaire. It was observed that ultra-processed foods contributed about a third of the average daily caloric intake of adolescents. The consumption of sweets was higher in girls and the consumption of processed meats and sausages was higher in boys. In addition, the high caloric contribution of ultra-processed foods, after adjusted analyzes, remained inversely related to the education of parents / guardians and was associated with the fact of not having the main family meals, among the girls. In this sense, the results indicate that ultra-processed foods had a high contribution to the diet of adolescents living in rural areas and that this consumption is influenced by sociodemographic and behavioral factors.