[Food intake and meal patterns of adolescents, São Paulo, Brazil].
OBJECTIVE
To assess food intake and meal patterns in adolescents, a cross-sectional study was conducted with 228 adolescents from a public school, SP, Brazil.


METHODS
Total energy, macronutrients, calcium, iron, and vitamin A intakes were evaluated. The food pattern was compared with the eating patterns established by the Food Pyramid for adolescents. Meal frequency was assessed to identify meal skipping. Descriptive statistics and Chi Square were used.


RESULTS
Mean energy intake was lower than estimated for 66% adolescents, carbohydrate intake was lower than estimated for 50% adolescents, fat intake was higher than estimated for 50% of adolescents, and protein intake was above the recommendation for 40% of adolescents. Among adolescents studied, 21% skipped breakfast and one third of them had snacks instead of lunch or dinner.


CONCLUSIONS
The diet of adolescents had insufficient energy intake and deficient intake of fruits and vegetables. Meal patterns were satisfactory, but breakfast should be encouraged.
Leal
Greisse Viero da Silva
GV
Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brasil. greisse@usp.br
Philippi
Sonia Tucunduva
ST
Matsudo
Sandra Marcela Mahecha
SM
Toassa
Erika Christiane
EC
D000293:Adolescent; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004435:Eating; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male