Abstract

Author(s): Guevara Ingelmo, Raquel María1; Urchaga Litago, José David2; García Cantó, Eliseo3; Tárraga López, Pedro Juan4; Moral-García, José Enrique1

Introduction. Adolescence is a key period for the establishment of eating behavior and therefore it is essential to promote healthy eating among this population group. Intervention programs must be based on the current reality of the adolescents to whom they are addressed.

Objectives. The present study aims to know the current eating habits of adolescents and detect risk factors and / or aspects to improve in their daily diet, analyzing whether there are differences according to sex and school year at the beginning and end of Education High school.

Method. Cross-sectional study through a survey in which nutritional habits are analyzed, using the questionnaire on food included in the international study Health Behavior in School-aged Children, according to sex and academic year, of the 1,419 adolescents who participated.

Results. The consumption of healthy foods is lower than recommended, only 11.3% correctly comply with all the habits evaluated. There are important differences in the quality and frequency of breakfast, 12.3% go to the school without breakfast. 19.1% consume fruits less than once a week or never and only 20.3% make a daily consumption of vegetables. More than 50% of students consume snacks, sugary soda or candy at least twice a week.

Discussion and conclusions. Because a healthy diet is not followed according to the proposed recommendations, it is necessary to continue promoting breakfast and improving nutritional quality in meals, favoring the intake of healthy foods (more fruit, vegetables and fish) and controlling the excessive consumption of the least recommended (meat and sugary foods).