Eating contexts and their associations with socio-demographic factors in Brazilian adolescents (EVA-JF Study)

Abstract

Objective: To describe the eating contexts and estimate their associations with sociodemographic factors in a sample of Brazilian adolescents. Design: Cross-sectional study. We used an exploratory questionnaire about eating contexts (encompassing regularity of meals, places where they occur, and if they take place with attention and in company), which was submitted to cluster analysis. Subsequently, three clusters were identified: cluster 1, “appropriate eating contexts at breakfast, lunch, and dinner”; cluster 2, “inappropriate eating context at breakfast”; and cluster 3, “inappropriate eating context at dinner”. Multinomial logistic regression models were performed, without and with adjustments, using cluster 1 as reference. Setting: 29 public schools of Juiz de Fora, MG, Southeast Brazil. Participants: Adolescents, 14-19-year-olds (n = 835). Results: We observed relevant prevalence of adolescents omitting breakfast (52.9%) and dinner (39.3%), and who had the habit of eating sitting/lying on the couch/bed or standing/walking, and in front of screens. Breakfast usually occurred unaccompanied (70.8%); around half (47.5%) and little over a third (36.1%) of the sample also would usually have lunch and dinner unaccompanied, respectively. Furthermore, through multivariate analysis, we found associations of eating contexts clusters with female sex (more likely in clusters 2 and 3), age range 14-15-year-olds (less likely in cluster 2), and higher mother’s schooling (more likely in cluster 3). Conclusions: We verified an alarming prevalence of adolescents with eating contexts unaligned with healthy eating recommendations. Additionally, inappropriate eating contexts at breakfast and/or at dinner were associated with sociodemographic factors (sex, age range, and mother’s schooling).

Obesity prevalence, physical activity, and dietary practices among adults in Saudi Arabia

“…Contrary to our findings, a few investigations discovered no association between demographic and lifestyle variables with overweight or obesity ( 7 , 20 ). A Brazilian study observed sociodemographic characteristics (such as the mother's education level, age range, and gender) were linked to inappropriate eating situations at breakfast and/or dinner ( 46 ). Our results are compatible with several studies ( 20 , 47 ).…”

“…The ALTS questionnaire assessed eating habits by 10 items (38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47). "Participants were asked frequency of breakfast, fizzy drinks (including soft drinks), vegetables, fruits, and dairy products, donuts and cakes, candy and chocolate, energy drinks, and fast foods per week.…”