OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the diet quality of women exercising in the "City Gym Program" according to age and nutritional status, in Aracajú, Sergipe, Brazil. METHODS: Sociodemographic, anthropometric and dietary data of 169 women were collected. The Diet Quality Index was calculated by taking the average of two 24-hour recalls. Total Diet Quality Index data and its components were analyzed according to BMI (obese and non-obese) and age (young adults and older adults). Descriptive statistical analysis and analysis of variance were done for comparing the mean Diet Quality Index score of the groups. RESULTS: SThe average age of the sample of 169 women was 49.24 years, of which 24.85% were obese and 43.20% had abdominal obesity. The average Diet Quality Index score was 66.64 points, with 90.60% of the population requiring dietary changes. Obese women consumed fewer vegetables than non-obese. Meanwhile, older adults had better scores regarding vegetable intake, dairy product intake and diet variety, and a better final score. CONCLUSION: The population presented poor eating habits, especially young and overweight women. Therefore, educational nutrition strategies are very important and highly recommended for the promotion of healthier lifestyles.
Nutritional assessment; Food consumption; Food habits; Nutrition
