Perfil nutricional de escolares adolescentes

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescence constitutes a transition phase of the individual, characterized by profound physical, psychic and social changes. We can identify the current picture of the nutritional transition, in which the high prevalence of overweight was incorporated into the reality of children and adolescents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional profile of adolescent schoolchildren and to classify adolescents as to nutritional status according to WHO - 2007 Growth Curves - BMI by age and height for age and its relationship with eating habits. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. The data evaluated are part of a project entitled: "Overweight and Associated Factors in Schoolchildren of the Municipal Education Network in the Municipality of Caxias do Sul. For the measurement of the study outcome were measured by weight, height and Mass Index Body (BMI). A questionnaire was used to evaluate the demographic characteristics and related to the number and quality of meals. Results: 642 students aged 10 to 16 years were evaluated. Regarding the nutritional status, the results showed that the majority (: 67.3%) are eutrophic and girls (57.5%). In relation to the habit of eating breakfast, those who eat this meal are more eutrophic than those who do not, and this difference is statistically significant (p = 0.06). When the consumption of CHO, sweet and fastfood with the nutritional status was analyzed, statistical significance was found (p = 0.011, 0.034 and 0.029, respectively). Conclusion: we can understand the importance of awareness about nutritional education and the development of actions of nutritional orientation and health promotion in adolescence. Every time the school is considered a strategic space to encourage the formation of healthy eating habits. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]