Eating habits and intake of macro-and micronutrients among adolescents in the city of Ribeirão Preto (SP)

Objective: to know the intake of macro and micronutrients among a group of adolescents in the city of Ribeirao Preto (SP). Methods: observational study in which it is observed the intake and eating habits of adolescents, through the food frequency questionnaire validated for adolescents and the food record of 3 days. Results: the participants were 130 adolescents, of whom 81 (62.3%) were female and 49 (37.6%) male, with a mean age 196.8 ± 11 months. Food items with the highest intake were rice, beans, candies, bread, sugar and milk. The percentage of energy from macronutrients were 56.4% for the group of carbohydrate, 15.3% protein and 28.3% lipid. Regarding minerals, it was observed a low intake than the recommended for calcium, adequate intake of iron and zinc and, notably, excessive sodium intake. Conclusions: The results showed that adolescents consume a large amount of simple sugars, saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol and sodium, which, in excess, can cause harm to the health of individuals in full stage of development. Therefore, the evident need to implement food education programs targeted to adolescents and their families, in order to change consumer’s habits, specially the reduction of sodium present in processed foods as well as those prepared in restaurants, decrease of sugar consumption and increase of eating vegetables and foods with calcium.