Characterization of adolescents’ diet with the Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population

Abstract

Adolescence is characterized by the transition period between childhood and adulthood. The evaluation of dietary habits at this stage provides ground for the implementation of prevention policies of chronic noncommunicable diseases. The aim of this study was to describe the eating habits of adolescent students from two technical schools in the eastern zone of the city of São Paulo and compare them with the Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population. All incoming students of 2017, of both sexes, up to 19 years old and enrolled in the first year of all the Integrated Technical Courses were invited to participate. In this cross-sectional study, the total sample was 111 students. The research was conducted through an online questionnaire structured by the researcher and was developed based on the Dietary Guidelines' 10 steps for a healthy diet. We verified that among the main meals, the most neglected by adolescents was breakfast, since it was neglected in 1 out of 4 students. Most adolescents consume less than 1 liter of water per day, do not eat whole foods, and often consume rice and beans, milk and dairy products, fruits, sweets and ultra-processed products. The eating habits of this group is not yet in line with the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines, so a food and nutritional education work aimed at disseminating the recommendations based on this instrument is important for adopting healthier eating practices.

Ultra-processed food consumption and children and adolescents’ health

“…Other studies carried out in Brazil and Singapore also indicate that a significant proportion of children and adolescents do not consume fresh foods daily, such as fruits and vegetables or minimally processed foods, such as rice and beans. 17 , 18 , 19 In contrast, the prevalence of daily consumption of UP foods by adolescents in São Paulo was 64 %, and of soda 16.2 %, in 2017; this study also showed a negative association between participation in food purchases and soda consumption; regular cooking was positively associated with the consumption of rice and beans. 17 In the study conducted on 44 children in Diamantina, state of Minas Gerais, when evaluating lunch boxes, the UP foods were predominant, especially: yogurt (55.88 %); boxed chocolate milk (41.18 %); sandwich cookies and snacks (50 % and 35.29 %, respectively).…”

“…Maternal ethnicity, religion and level of schooling were significantly and independently associated with the co-occurrence of NCD risk factors. Nicolau et al 17 (2018) Cross-sectional 111 incoming students from all Integrated Technical High School Courses in 2017, of both sexes, up to 19 years old. To characterize the diet of adolescent students from two technical schools in the east zone of the city of São Paulo according to the GAPB An important number of the adolescents do not consume fresh foods (fruits, vegetables) or minimally processed foods (rice and beans) daily.…”

“…This review included studies that share the objective of analyzing and discussing the effects of dietary patterns and the relationship with chronic NCDs in children and adolescents. 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 …”