Healthy eating markers among adolescents from the municipal school system in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 2019: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the consumption of healthy eating markers among adolescent students in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in 2019. Methods: this was a cross-sectional study carried out in schools taking part in the Health at School Program. Consumption of the five markers (beans, milk, fruit, cooked vegetables and raw salads) within five days prior to the study, obtained through a self-administered questionnaire, was defined as regular. Association between demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral variables and the outcomes was analyzed using Poisson regression. Results: among the 797 respondents, 2.8% (95%CI 1.8;4.1) reported regular consumption. Beans were the most regularly consumed food (48.3%); fruit, cooked vegetables and raw salads were consumed regularly by less than 30% of the students. Doing physical activities, having breakfast and having meals with the family were associated with regular consumption of the foods assessed. Conclusion: regular consumption of healthy foods was low in this population, and was associated with behavioral factors.