Aggregation of unhealthy food markers in High Schools

Abstract

Objective To estimate the isolated and aggregated prevalence of excessive consumption of salty, sweet and soft drinks, markers of unhealthy eating, and identify association with sociodemographic and lifestyle factors among schoolchildren. Methods Random sample, proportional to the conglomerates (classes). A total of 1,170 high school students aged 14 to 20 years enrolled in public schools in Jequié, Bahia in 2015 were included. Sociodemographic variables (gender, age group, family income and education) and lifestyle (consumption of fruits and vegetables, alcohol and tobacco consumption, screen time and insufficient levels of physical activity) were assessed. SPSS 11.5 (95%CI) was used to perform the chi-square test and Poisson aggregation. Results We found a greater consumption of sweets among girls, 27.9% (p<0.01) and inadequate consumption of vegetables in boys 66.3% (p<0.00). The aggregation of the three unhealthy eating markers yielded an exposure of 7.88 (95%CI; 7.87-7.90) for boys and 4.91 (95%CI; 4.87-4.95) for girls. The exposure is higher for boys who watch TV ≥02 hours/day (PR: 1.98; 95%CI: 1.01-3.9; p<0.05) and girls (PR: 3.01; 95%CI: 1.64-5.52; p<0.00), besides computer/videogame use (PR: 2.47; 95%CI: 1.4-4.35; p<0.00). Conclusion It was observed that for both genders, watching TV or using the computer/video game for more than two hours increases the chance of consumption of unhealthy food markers.