Food habits of adolescent students from Pelotas, Brazil

Abstract

Objective
This study aimed to describe the extent to which adolescent students living in Pelotas, Brazil, follow the national recommendations for healthy eating.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was undertaken in 2004, nested to a longitudinal project, including adolescents aged 13 to 14 years attending any of the 32 public schools of Pelotas. The sample included 2209 adolescents. A questionnaire developed by the National Cancer Institute was used to evaluate food consumption frequency. Outcomes were based on the ten steps to healthy eating developed by the Brazilian Ministry of Health.

Results
The most common healthy habits were daily consumption of beans and milk, which were reported by approximately half the adolescents. Almost half the adolescents reported eating French fries and chips no more than once a week. Satisfactory consumption of cured and canned foods was observed in 44.6% of the adolescents. Almost half of them (43.6%) reported never adding extra salt to the food. Approximately 1/3 of the adolescents reported consuming candies and other sugar-rich foods no more than twice a week.

Conclusion
Healthy eating habits were uncommon among all population subgroups, and the poorest eating habits were observed among adolescents of higher socioeconomic groups and girls. The most infrequent healthy eating habit (5.3% of the adolescents) was the consumption of fruits and vegetables five or more times per day. Public policies that promote healthy eating habits and nutrition among adolescents are urgently needed.