Trends in food consumption of schoolchildren from 2nd to 5th grade: a panel data analysis

• Published in: Revista de Nutrição 2020, Vol.33
• Main Authors: PEREIRA, Luciana Jeremias, HINNIG, Patrícia de Fragas, DI PIETRO, Patrícia Faria, ASSIS, Maria Alice Altenburg de, VIEIRA, Francilene Gracieli Kunradi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: NUTRITION & DIETETICS
• ISSN: 1415-5273; 1678-9865; 1678-9865
• DOI: 10.1590/1678-9865202033e190164

ABSTRACT Objective To identify trends in food consumption among schoolchildren (2nd-5th grades) from public schools in the city of Florianópolis, Brazil, in a period of three years. Methods Three cross-sectional surveys were carried out in 2013 (n=1,942), 2014 (n=1,989) and 2015 (n=2,418). Dietary intake data were obtained using the Web-Based Food Intake and Physical Activity of Schoolchildren questionnaire. Food items were aggregated to eight food groups. Kruskal-Wallis heterogeneity and trend tests were used to analyze the differences and trends among the mean intake frequency of food groups. Results There were trends to decrease the mean intake frequency of sweets in the total sample (2013: 0.72±0.91; 2014: 0.68±0.87; 2015: 0.67±0.89, p=0.03) which was determined by children between 7-9 years old (2013: 0.69±0.88; 2014: 0.64±0.85; 2015: 0.62±0.87, p=0.02), and boys (2013: 0.75±0.90; 2014: 0.70±0.86; 2015: 0.68±0.88, p=0.03). Younger children also tended to increase the mean intake frequency of fruits and vegetables (2013: 1.03±1.35; 2014: 1.16±1.45; 2015: 1.17±1.41, p=0.03) and those aged ten-12 years decreased their intake of dairy products (2013: 1.32±1.25; 2014: 1.23±1.18; 2015: 1.20±1.20, p=0.05). Conclusion The results suggest positive trends for younger children, with an increased consumption of fruits and vegetables in both sexes and decreased consumption of sweets for boys. Older children reduced their consumption of dairy products over the three-year period of this study. RESUMO Objetivo Este estudo buscou identificar tendências no consumo alimentar de escolares do 2º ao 5º ano de escolas públicas do município de Florianópolis durante três anos. Métodos Três pesquisas transversais foram conduzidas em 2013 (n=1.942), 2014 (n=1.989) e 2015 (n=2.418). Dados de consumo alimentar foram obtidos com a aplicação do questionário de avaliação de consumo alimentar e atividade física. Os itens alimentares foram classificados em oito grupos. Utilizaram-se os testes Kruskal-Wallis de heterogeneidade e de tendência para analisar as diferenças e tendências entre as médias de frequência de consumo dos grupos alimentares. Resultados Verificou-se uma tendência de redução da média de frequência de consumo de doces para a amostra total (2013: 0,72±0,91; 2014: 0,68±0,87; 2015: 0,67±0,89, p=0,03), que foi determinada pelos escolares de 7 a 9 anos (2013: 0,69±0,88; 2014: 0,64±0,85; 2015: 0,62±0,87, p=0,02) e do sexo masculino (2013: 0,75±0,90; 2014: 0,70±0,86; 2015: 0