Changes in the frequency of food intake among children and teenagers: monitoring in a reference service

Abstract

PURPOSE: to identify changes in the food intake patterns among overweight children and teenagers, treated at a reference medical centre. METHOD: the method used is that of a cohort study, between April 2010 and April 2011. A total of 109 children and teenagers, either obese or overweight, took part in the study. The population was divided into two subgroups depending on the permanence period (more than 6 months, and less than 6 months off the treatment). The chi-square test and logistic regression were carried out. RESULTS: the group which had been longer off the treatment tended to consume more soft drinks, pasta and fried foods, and less fruit and vegetables. The group with less time showed an improvement, with a reduction of consumption of soft drinks and other goodies. There was confirmation of an increased risk for consumption of soft drinks, pasta and goodies in general, as also detachment from the treatment in adolescence. CONCLUSIONS: The group with a longer period of monitoring has had a positive change in food intake frequency. The main contribution made by this study is that of showing that multiprofissional treatment, including some nursing care, is efficient in progressively changing the food intake of children and adolescents who are overweight.

Nursing Diagnosis of overweight and related factors in adolescents

“…21 The results of this study corroborate a research with 255 children and adolescents in the interior of Paraíba, Brazil, which concluded that the youngers understand the evils of risk foods and the benefits of protective foods, but do not decrease the consumption of risk foods and neither consume it satisfactorily. 22 It is noteworthy that despite the consumption of healthy foods be predominantly unsatisfactorily and the practice of physical activity is lower than that advocated for half of the sample, these variables were not associated with ND overweight. Thus, it is considered necessary to evaluate others factors associated with ND, such as disease with family history.…”

“…Therefore, nurses should plan an intervention strategy, considering the nuclear family, because despite being more complex, integrated care of family is fundamental. 23 To prevent or intervene on ND overweight in adolescents, it is suggested that nursing is a mediator between the health service, school and family, 22 considering the factors related to regular physical activity, eating habits and family history of related diseases.…”

Características antropométricas e hábitos alimentares de escolares

“…A análise dos dados sociodemográficos demonstrados nesta pesquisa, observou que a maioria dos participantes pertencia ao sexo feminino e eram adolescentes, apresentando a cor da pele "não branca" e uma renda familiar em torno de 1 a 2 salários mínimos. Esses dados são semelhantes ao estudo realizado por Mariz et al 14 , no interior da Paraíba com 109 escolares.…”

“…Para Meireles 26 , o consumo de carne com gordura (44,0%) e frango com pele (34,9%) foi maior em comparação a este trabalho que encontrou 17,90% e 21,10%, respectivamente. Sendo assim, faz-se necessário evitar estes tipos de alimentos, pelo fato do elevado consumo desses contribuírem para o aumento da prevalência de excesso de peso e suas comorbidades 14 .…”

“…O processo de modificação dos hábitos alimentares é bastante complexo, principalmente devido ao padrão alimentar atual e a necessidade da elaboração de estratégias de educação nutricional junto ao indivíduo, a fim de que o mesmo seja capaz de compreender a necessidade e a importância do problema ocasionado pelos maus hábitos alimentares, que exercem grande influência no desenvolvimento das DCNT 14 .…”