Evolução de práticas alimentares não saudáveis entre adolescentes: Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar 2009-2015

Abstract

The evolution of unhealthy eating practices among adolescents in the last three versions of the National School Health Survey is analyzed. Current ecological study comprises issues with regard to the consumption of soft drinks, candies, ultra-processed food, eating while watching television and having meals within the family. There was a decrease in the consumption of sweets (9.1%), soft drinks (8.2%) and ultra-processed foods (9%). The consumption of ultra-processed food had the largest reduction rate reported in the Northeast region of Brazil. Students whose mothers had higher education revealed a 3.5% reduction in the consumption of ultra-processed food, whilst there was a 12.2% decrease among students whose mother had full primary education. Although a reduction in the consumption of unhealthy foods has been observed, the intake of these foods was still significantly high in 2015. Since there is an association between unhealthy eating and the development of chronic diseases, it is essential that healthy eating practices strategies should be developed in the school context.