Food consumption and weight status among students in the third cycle of basic education and their parents: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Eating behaviors acquired in childhood tend to be perpetuated in adulthood, so adherence to a healthy diet from an early age becomes important to prevent the onset of the occurrence of diet-related chronic non-communicable diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the food consumption of students in the third cycle of basic education and their parents and its relationship with weight status. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study. Data from 358 students and 318 parents living on Terceira Island (Azores, Portugal) were included in the study. A questionnaire was developed to collect sociodemographic, dietary habits and anthropometric data, this was applied between May and June 2015. A food frequency questionnaire was used, and weight and height were used to calculate the body mass index. A descriptive analysis of the variables under study was performed and the Mann–Whitney’s test was used to compare the means between groups. Results: A high prevalence of pre-obesity/obesity (students: 33.0%; parents: 62.4%) was found. Vegetables are consumed most often by parents while fruits, fast food and sweets are consumed more frequently by students. Normal weight students reported a higher frequency of soy, olive oil, sunflower oil, and sweets compared with overweight students, on the other hand overweight parents reported a higher frequency of consumption of milk, pork, fatty fish, potatoes, vegetables, citrus fruits, and sunflower oil, compared with normal weight parents. Conclusions: Given the high prevalence of pre-obesity/obesity found, as well as the high frequency of consumption of unhealthy foods, it is recommended that health promotion measures be taken in these schools.