Adolescents' diet quality and associated factors

• Published in: Cadernos de saúde pública 2014-01, Vol.30 (1), p.97-106
• Main Authors: Wendpap, Loiva Lide, Ferreira, Márcia Gonçalves, Rodrigues, Paulo Rogério Melo, Pereira, Rosangela Alves, Loureiro, Anarlete da Silva, Gonçalves-Silva, Regina Maria Veras
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Body Mass Index; Brazil; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet - standards; Diet Surveys; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Male; Motor Activity; Nutritive Value; Obesity - epidemiology; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 1678-4464
• DOI: 10.1590/0102-311X00082412

The aim of this study was to analyze adolescents' diet quality and associated factors using the Revised Diet Quality Index (DQI-R). A cross-sectional study was performed with 1,326 adolescents from public and private schools. Food intake was measured using a food frequency questionnaire. Crude prevalence ratio was used to evaluate the association between high DQI-R (≥ 75th percentile) and independent variables. Variables with p-value < 0.20 were included in the Poisson regression analysis. Mean DQI-R was 75.1 points (95%CI: 74.8-75.5). Higher DQI-R scores were associated with ≤ 2 hours per day of sedentary activities (e.g., TV, computer, and videogames), ≥ 300 minutes per week of physical activity, and overweight. Healthy lifestyle was associated with better diet quality. The results emphasize the importance of encouraging physical activity, reducing the number of daily hours in sedentary activities, and intervening in adolescents' eating habits.