Healthy dietary patterns linked to Brazilian adolescents’ school meal adherence

Oct 2, 2024Revista brasileira de epidemiologia = Brazilian journal of epidemiology

Healthy eating habits linked to Brazilian teens following school meals

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Abstract

High adherence to school meals is positively associated with healthier dietary patterns in Brazilian adolescents.

Three dietary patterns were identified among adolescents: 'unhealthy' (9.2%), 'healthy' (27.1%), and 'monotonous' (63.7%).
Adherence to school meals every day is linked to a higher likelihood of following a healthy dietary pattern.
Adherence to school meals 1-4 times per week is also associated with an increased likelihood of a healthy dietary pattern.
The study adjusted for sociodemographic and eating behavior variables in assessing these associations.

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OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to verify the association between adherence to school meals provided by the National School Feeding Program and dietary patterns in adolescents from Brazilian public schools.

METHODS: Data from the 2019 National School Health Survey were used, with a nationally representative sample of Brazilian school adolescents (n=53,477; 13-17 years old). Food consumption of healthy and unhealthy food markers was obtained from a food consumption questionnaire. Regular consumption was considered ≥5 times/week. Latent class analysis was used to identify dietary patterns whose association with adherence to school meals was evaluated by multinomial logistic regression models, with adjustment for sociodemographic and eating behavior variables.

RESULTS: Three dietary patterns were identified: "unhealthy" - higher consumption of soft drinks and sweets (9.2% of adolescents); "healthy" - higher consumption of beans, vegetables, and fruits (27.1%); and "monotonous" - higher consumption of beans (63.7%). High adherence to school meals (every day) and unsatisfactory adherence (1-4 times/week) were positively associated with the healthy pattern even after adjustment for possible potential confounders (OR 1.37, 95%CI 1.23-1.52; OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.10-1.30, respectively).

CONCLUSION: The results showed that the consumption of school meals offered by the National School Feeding Program can contribute to healthy eating habits among Brazilian adolescents.

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Healthy dietary patterns linked to Brazilian adolescents’ school meal adherence

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