Marcadores de alimentação saudável entre adolescentes da rede municipal de ensino de Pelotas, RS.

Abstract

Adolescence is the phase that comprises the period between 10 and 19 years and is marked by the transition between childhood and adulthood. During adolescence, intense changes occur in the biological, social and emotional spheres, an accentuating physical growth, especially during puberty, when, together with psychosocial development and intense cognitive stimulation, the demand for energy and nutrients increases. Therefore, this is an age group of nutritional risk. Considering the importance of healthy eating for proper growth and development during adolescence, as well as for the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the assessment of food consumption in the school environment is essential to guide food and nutrition actions and policies. . Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the consumption of healthy eating markers among adolescents who study in the ninth year of the municipal school system in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. A cross-sectional, school-based, census-type study carried out in the municipal school system, evaluating 797 ninth grade students in urban schools. The data collection instrument consisted of a self-administered questionnaire based on the one applied by the National School Health Survey. We analyzed the frequency of consumption in the previous week of markers of healthy eating (beans, milk, fruits, cooked vegetables and raw salads), and their association with demographic and behavioral variables. The results showed that less than three in every hundred adolescents regularly consumed (≥ 5, of the seven days before) the five foods considered markers of healthy eating. Boys had a higher prevalence of regular consumption for most markers (beans, fruits, milk and cooked vegetables). Higher consumption of beans was also observed among black/brown and yellow/indigenous participants. The associations with behavioral variables stand out: physical activity, meals with the family, having breakfast and meals in front of screens. Adolescents who practiced physical activity, had breakfast and had meals with their family had a higher mean score for consumption of foods that were markers of healthy eating. There was a strong influence of behavioral variables on the food consumption of adolescents, indicating that food is not only conditioned by the nutrients present in food. And, based on these findings, interventions, actions and programs are necessary to promote food and nutrition education in this population, especially in the behavioral sphere, with the school being an ideal space to promote adequate and healthy food.