OBJECTIVE: This study assessed food consumption and prevalence of overweight among adolescents from Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional with a representative sample of adolescents older than 10 years of 11 public schools of Piracicaba. The maturation stage of the adolescents was determined by self-examination using Tanner images. Intakes of energy, macronutrients, fruits, vegetables and sweets were determined with a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Weight and height were measured to determine body mass index and height-for-age percentiles. RESULTS: Three-hundred ninety adolescents with a mean age of 12.4 years, 46.4% males and 78.7% pubescents were assessed. Mean energy intake was 3,645kcal (56.2%, 12.8% and 33.5% of carbohydrates, proteins and fats respectively). Most of the adolescents (77.9%) had excessive intake of dietary fat. The mean consumption of fruits, vegetables and sweets was 2.3, 2.4 and 4.5 portions per day, respectively. Twenty-one percent of the adolescents had overweight, 4.4% were underweight and 1.8% were stunted. CONCLUSION: A high percentage of adolescents consumed too little fruits and vegetables and too much lipids and sweets (above the recommended intakes), which may explain why many children had overweight. Programs that promote healthy eating should also target adolescents to reduce the risk and incidence of obesity and prevent future health problems.
adolescent; anthropometry; food consumption; overweight
