Abstract
Background
Adolescence is a remarkable period to adopt a healthy lifestyle. It is pertinent to evaluate the adherence to healthy eating and possible relationships with biochemical components.
Objective
To evaluate the adequacy to the 10 steps for healthy eating in adolescents and the associated biochemical profile.
Method
Epidemiological, cross-sectional, analytical study conducted with 635 adolescents from public schools in the municipality of Montes Claros, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The number and selection of participants were defined by sample calculation. Sociodemographic characteristics and food consumption were assessed through questionnaires, whereas biochemical measurements were conducted to determine the metabolic parameters. Adequacy to a healthy diet was performed according to the adolescents' adherence to each of the steps recommended by the Ministry of Health (MS). Descriptive, bivariate and multiple regression analyses were performed.
Results
Food consumption among the adolescent students investigated was as follows: beans (70.5%); cereals, roots, tubers and wholegrains (57.7%); water (54.0%), vegetables, greens and fruits (1.6%); meat, poultry, eggs, milk and dairy products (6.6%). Adherence to the recommended consumption of milk and lean meat or eggs (OR=2.510) and soft drinks, processed juices and goodies (OR=1.830) was associated with total cholesterol levels.
Conclusion
There was low adherence to the 10 steps for healthy eating and the lipid profile was associated with consumption of soft drinks, processed juices, goodies, milk, and meat.
Keywords:
adolescent; adolescent health; healthy diet; dietary behavior; adolescent nutrition